Officials Must Understand That Nothing Is Forever: Journalist on Obstruction of Her Work

Journalist Ani Gevorgyan has commented on the obstruction of her journalistic work during the electoral campaign for the Yerevan municipal council elections: “Thank you for your concern, I can't say that I'm well, but I won't give up. The officials and their supporters must understand that nothing lasts forever,” she wrote.

It is noted that the "Union of Armenian Journalists" had previously issued a statement stating that supporters of the "Civil Contract" party had used violence against the journalist today by throwing a bottle and hitting her and her cameraman with a flagpole, attempting to intimidate representatives of the media performing their duties.

Days ago, the Union of Armenian Journalists condemned the attacks, insults, and abuses directed against Ani Gevorgyan, founder of Newday.am, by supporters of the “Civil Contract” party and certain officials. Unfortunately, the ruling power not only failed to rectify the situation but also further deepened the tension. Thus, we can confidently state that the events are directed and encouraged by the ruling elite, particularly by Nikol Pashinyan himself.

Earlier, a direct campaign against a journalist covering the pre-election concluding march of Tigran Avinyan, head of the ruling party's Yerevan council list, was being conducted. Not satisfied with the most vulgar insults, curses, provocations, and offensive expressions, supporters of the "Civil Contract" party have today resorted to violence by throwing bottles and hitting the journalist and her operator with a flagpole to intimidate media representatives doing their job. We reiterate that everything happened live on air, and videos are available.

The Union of Armenian Journalists once again calls on law enforcement agencies to properly respond to what is happening and put an end to this lawlessness, and to the leadership of the “Civil Contract” party to rein in the instincts of their supporters and affiliates. Due to the inaction of law enforcement, the work of media employees is obstructed, and the lives of journalists and operators are endangered.

We also appeal to our international partners, international and local organizations conducting monitoring missions, to evaluate what has happened and take action to ensure unobstructed work for media representatives.