Simonyan: Anyone Who Dares to Offend Me Will Wisely Apologize and Compensate

The President of the National Assembly, Alen Simonyan, writes: “Of course, it seems easier today to insult officials or spread lies. In the past, such rare incidents received a response either with beatings at the entrances of buildings or many officials would simply ‘slip’ dollars in an envelope to today’s supposedly fair and honest journalists or editors, who lament the pain of the homeland: they would state, ‘let's help so that the media can thrive’. In return, the media would simply ignore the official, invite someone who would praise the patron, or at least would not mention the name in their articles. Depending on the strength of the envelope’s crinkle and the knee bend, they might even praise the official.

Now there is no heroism in insulting an official or speaking falsely, there’s neither expected money nor will anyone beat you. So don’t get too excited. But there is now also a legal option—simply have the guts to go to court. You might lose in one place but win in another. And thus, all those who allow themselves to insult or slander me or my family members will wisely apologize and compensate. Naturally, they will blame the courts in the meantime, claiming they apologize because they are law-abiding, but they will bring explanations and wisely ask for forgiveness and pay the amounts set by the court.

This is not the first and will not be the last example, and in the near future, I will publish many similar cases of speakers who are brought in and specifically prompted to express insults or slanders by the businessmen-editors and political figures who invite them, and by aged bloggers who have learned how to get online.”