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Central Asian and Southern Caucasus Freedom of Expression Network
(CASCFEN), Azerbaijan
Aug 27 2004
Am: IPI calls on Kocharian to investigate attacks on journalists
CASCFEN, Vienna, 27 Aug 2004 -- Johann P. Fritz, Director of the
International Press Institute based in Vienna on Aug 27, 2004
addressed to Robert Kocharian, the President of the Republic of
Armenia in regard to recent attack on two journalists. Following is
the text of the letter:
"The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of
editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120
countries, strongly condemns the attack on Mkhitar Khachatrian, a
photojournalist with the news agency Fotolur.
According to information before IPI, the attack occurred on 24 August
while Khachatrian and Anna Israelian, a correspondent for the
independent daily Aravot, were on assignment in the exclusive resort
town of Tsaghkadzor. The journalists had travelled to the central
Armenian town to write an article about the damage caused to the
local environment by building projects carried out over recent years.
Khachatrian was taking pictures of a house allegedly belonging to
Armen Yeritsian, deputy chief of national police, when a guard came
out and told him to stop photographing. Later, the two journalists
were confronted by the same guard at a cafe in Tsaghkadzor. The guard
recognised the journalist and called several men over, one of whom
subsequently assaulted Khachatrian. The journalist said the man
kicked, punched, cursed and threatened to kill him, and that he was
forced to surrender the memory card of his digital camera to
prevent his camera from being broken.
According to reports, Khachatrian's description of the attackers
matches that of the men who assaulted several journalists and
destroyed their cameras at an opposition rally in Yerevan on 5 April.
IPI urges Your Excellency to authorise an immediate and thorough
investigation into these incidents and to do everything in your power
to create an environment in Armenia that allows journalists to
practice their profession without fear of harassment or
intimidation."
IPI, the global network of editors, media executives and leading
journalists, is dedicated to the furtherance and safeguarding of
press freedom, the protection of freedom of opinion and expression,
the promotion of the free flow of news and information, and the
improvement of the practices of journalism.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
(CASCFEN), Azerbaijan
Aug 27 2004
Am: IPI calls on Kocharian to investigate attacks on journalists
CASCFEN, Vienna, 27 Aug 2004 -- Johann P. Fritz, Director of the
International Press Institute based in Vienna on Aug 27, 2004
addressed to Robert Kocharian, the President of the Republic of
Armenia in regard to recent attack on two journalists. Following is
the text of the letter:
"The International Press Institute (IPI), the global network of
editors, media executives and leading journalists in over 120
countries, strongly condemns the attack on Mkhitar Khachatrian, a
photojournalist with the news agency Fotolur.
According to information before IPI, the attack occurred on 24 August
while Khachatrian and Anna Israelian, a correspondent for the
independent daily Aravot, were on assignment in the exclusive resort
town of Tsaghkadzor. The journalists had travelled to the central
Armenian town to write an article about the damage caused to the
local environment by building projects carried out over recent years.
Khachatrian was taking pictures of a house allegedly belonging to
Armen Yeritsian, deputy chief of national police, when a guard came
out and told him to stop photographing. Later, the two journalists
were confronted by the same guard at a cafe in Tsaghkadzor. The guard
recognised the journalist and called several men over, one of whom
subsequently assaulted Khachatrian. The journalist said the man
kicked, punched, cursed and threatened to kill him, and that he was
forced to surrender the memory card of his digital camera to
prevent his camera from being broken.
According to reports, Khachatrian's description of the attackers
matches that of the men who assaulted several journalists and
destroyed their cameras at an opposition rally in Yerevan on 5 April.
IPI urges Your Excellency to authorise an immediate and thorough
investigation into these incidents and to do everything in your power
to create an environment in Armenia that allows journalists to
practice their profession without fear of harassment or
intimidation."
IPI, the global network of editors, media executives and leading
journalists, is dedicated to the furtherance and safeguarding of
press freedom, the protection of freedom of opinion and expression,
the promotion of the free flow of news and information, and the
improvement of the practices of journalism.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress