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JOURNALIST ACCUSED OF ASSAULTING PRO-GOVERNMENT CAMPAIGNER
By Karine Kalantarian
Radio Liberty, Czech Republic
Jan 16 2008
A prominent Armenian journalist and political analyst confirmed on
Wednesday that he has been questioned by the police for allegedly
assaulting an activist of a small pro-government party who urged him
to vote for Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian.
In a complaint lodged with the police, the unidentified young woman
claimed that David Petrosian of the Noyan Tapan news agency kicked
her as she and another member of the United National Liberal Party
(MIAK) handed him pro-Sarkisian leaflets on Saturday. Petrosian
strongly denied the allegation.
The activists' visit to the veteran commentator's Yerevan apartment
was part of a controversial house-to-house campaign launched by the
MIAK late last month with the aim of boosting Sarkisian's electoral
chances. The party, founded and led by an aide to Sarkisian, formed
groups of mostly young people who have been visiting Yerevan residents
and agitating for the Armenian premier's victory in the February 19
presidential election. In particular, residents are handed leaflets
stating ten reasons why the MIAK believes he should be Armenia's
next president.
The effort has already been condemned as illegal by some opposition
politicians. They argue that campaigning for the presidential election
officially starts on January 21 and that Armenian law bars candidates
from explicitly urging citizens to vote for them. The Central Election
Commission has not yet formally registered any of the presidential
candidates.
Speaking to RFE/RL, Petrosian said he may have behaved "quite
aggressively" but did not use force against the MIAK visitors. "I told
them, in a quite categorical way, to go away because they disturbed
me and because the election campaign officially starts on January 21,"
he said. "They said they have the right [agitate for Sarkisian.]"
Petrosian added that he was summoned to the police department of
central Yerevan for questioning for Tuesday. "I refused to give any
explanation because that is my right," he said. "The police themselves
should prove the claims. I consider myself innocent and insist that
I didn't do anything illegal."
But the MIAK's nominal head, Samvel Farmanian, stood by the
allegations. Farmanian also brushed aside reports in the opposition
press which say MIAK campaigners have also sought police action
against other Yerevan residents hostile to the government. "I find it
meaningless to react to false media reports that citizens angry at our
members or supporters are being summoned to police stations," said the
former leader of the youth wing of the opposition Orinats Yerkir Party.
By Karine Kalantarian
Radio Liberty, Czech Republic
Jan 16 2008
A prominent Armenian journalist and political analyst confirmed on
Wednesday that he has been questioned by the police for allegedly
assaulting an activist of a small pro-government party who urged him
to vote for Prime Minister Serzh Sarkisian.
In a complaint lodged with the police, the unidentified young woman
claimed that David Petrosian of the Noyan Tapan news agency kicked
her as she and another member of the United National Liberal Party
(MIAK) handed him pro-Sarkisian leaflets on Saturday. Petrosian
strongly denied the allegation.
The activists' visit to the veteran commentator's Yerevan apartment
was part of a controversial house-to-house campaign launched by the
MIAK late last month with the aim of boosting Sarkisian's electoral
chances. The party, founded and led by an aide to Sarkisian, formed
groups of mostly young people who have been visiting Yerevan residents
and agitating for the Armenian premier's victory in the February 19
presidential election. In particular, residents are handed leaflets
stating ten reasons why the MIAK believes he should be Armenia's
next president.
The effort has already been condemned as illegal by some opposition
politicians. They argue that campaigning for the presidential election
officially starts on January 21 and that Armenian law bars candidates
from explicitly urging citizens to vote for them. The Central Election
Commission has not yet formally registered any of the presidential
candidates.
Speaking to RFE/RL, Petrosian said he may have behaved "quite
aggressively" but did not use force against the MIAK visitors. "I told
them, in a quite categorical way, to go away because they disturbed
me and because the election campaign officially starts on January 21,"
he said. "They said they have the right [agitate for Sarkisian.]"
Petrosian added that he was summoned to the police department of
central Yerevan for questioning for Tuesday. "I refused to give any
explanation because that is my right," he said. "The police themselves
should prove the claims. I consider myself innocent and insist that
I didn't do anything illegal."
But the MIAK's nominal head, Samvel Farmanian, stood by the
allegations. Farmanian also brushed aside reports in the opposition
press which say MIAK campaigners have also sought police action
against other Yerevan residents hostile to the government. "I find it
meaningless to react to false media reports that citizens angry at our
members or supporters are being summoned to police stations," said the
former leader of the youth wing of the opposition Orinats Yerkir Party.