Robert Kocharian Laid the Groundwork for the Destruction of the Press in Armenia: Mesrop Movsesyan of 'A1+'

'A1+' is initiating a new legal process to restore its violated rights from 17 years ago. 'For 17 years we have been in this same process, and the brief pause we had over the last 3 years does not mean we did not intend to continue. A competition is ahead, and we plan to participate, but we would like to have all questions answered before that,' declared Mesrop Movsesyan, director of 'A1+', at a press conference today.

'A1+' has participated in 7 competitions and was rejected in all of them. The director of 'A1+' emphasizes that these rejections were unfounded and under duress. 'There is the episode of Robert Kocharian in all of this, who initiated our historical background. It was Robert Kocharian who made the decision that 'A1' should be deprived of its rights, and the executors deemed the actions they took as brilliant, considering us weak, labeling us as frauds, illiterate, and attaching many other tags to us.'

Mesrop Movsesyan believes that the field is now clear, and within this cleanliness, they first want to clear the name of 'A1+', which has been tarnished for 17 years. 'As the founder and director of 'A1+', I can say that a more important question should be raised regarding the representatives of the government of that time who violated freedom of speech. Mainly, 'A1+' served as a buffer for the entire press.'

Movsesyan also highlights that from the very first day of 'A1+' being deprived of its license, many media outlets announced that they did not agree with 'A1+''s position, which meant they were ready to serve the government. 'Robert Kocharian laid the groundwork for the destruction of the press in Armenia, and we have lived along this path for 17 years. Now, I would like Robert Kocharian, being in court, to also answer for his violations against the press and freedom of speech. Everyone today complains about the press not fulfilling its role, but no one remembers when the foundation was laid and why it became so entrenched.'

According to the director of 'A1+', the main cause of the created situation was the atmosphere of fear that Robert Kocharian established in our country through 'A1+'. 'For 17 years, 'A1+' has lived through very difficult years, surviving without any support from any side, reaching up to today, and today has the right to raise its voice to restore its violated rights.'

When asked how prepared the television station is to return to air today, Movsesyan responded, 'First of all, we are confident in our strength and team. The team is capable of working. Of course, over 17 years, we have worn out technically and financially during difficult days, but the chance is that the court, which will look at this case, will evaluate our step correctly.'

The director of the television station emphasizes that today’s step is not against anyone, even Robert Kocharian; today’s step is against the courts that have acted for 17 years without thinking about what they were doing, bringing the same press to a difficult situation. 'I think the government, which should seriously consider its future, should provide all kinds of support today so that this issue receives the correct resolution.'