IFEX – News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT – ARMENIA
22 October 2009
Trial begins against editor accused of "organising mass disorder"
SOURCE: International Press Institute
IPI concerned that charges are politically motivated
(IPI/IFEX) – VIENNA, Thursday 22 October 2009 – A court in the Armenian
capital of Yerevan began hearing a criminal case against prominent
newspaper editor-in-chief and opposition figure Nikol Pashinyan earlier
this week. Pashinyan faces up to 10 years in prison for "organising mass
disorder" and "assaulting a state representative."
Armenian authorities have accused Pashinyan of organising the March 2008
riots that followed a contested presidential election and left 10 people
dead. He also stands accused of assaulting a police officer during those
riots.
Pashinyan, editor-in-chief of leading daily Haykakan Zhamanak ("Armenian
Times") and a vocal critic of the current Armenian administration, denies
the allegations, claiming that his actions during the events of February
and March 2008 were within Armenian law.
Both local and international human rights organisations have also called
the charges against him into question.
Following the 2008 riots, and amid concerns he had become a target for
assassination, Pashinyan went into hiding. He handed himself over to police
on 1 July this year and is currently being detained pending the outcome of
the trial.
Pashinyan was charged under Articles 225.1 and 316.1 of the Armenian
Criminal Code, which carry a combined sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment.
Although the Armenian president this past June issued an amnesty for all
those implicated in the unrest, the terms of the amnesty only apply to
those convicted to less than a five-year jail term.
As the trial commenced on Tuesday, Pashinyan’s lawyers petitioned for the
judge hearing the case, Mnatsakan Martirosyan, to be changed, claiming he
cannot hold a fair trial following his highly criticised handling of a
similar case earlier this year.
Pashinyan also presented information from international non-governmental
organisation Transparency International, supporting his claims that the
Armenian judiciary is corrupt.
"If you consider the whole system to be corrupt, what difference does it
make to you which judge will be hearing the case?" responded the
prosecutor, according to a report by local media.
"We at IPI are highly concerned that Pashinyan may not receive a fair
trial," said IPI Deputy Director Alison Bethel McKenzie. "We are also
concerned by the possibility that the authorities have pressed charges
purely to bully a government critic into silence, as well as to scare off
others who would dare to oppose them.
"We hope the trial will be held in as transparent a manner as possible and
in line with all Armenia’s obligations under international agreements."
9/10/22/pashinyan_trial_begins/
For more information:
International Press Institute
Spiegelgasse 2
1010 Vienna
Austria
ipi (@) freemedia.at
Phone: +43 1 5129011
Fax: +43 1 5129014
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