IFEX – News from the international freedom of expression community
ARMENIA
7 July 2006
Editor jailed without bail; political motives cited
SOURCE: Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), New York
(CPJ/IFEX) – The following is a CPJ press release:
Armenian editor jailed without bail; political motives cited
New York, July 7, 2006 – The editor of an opposition daily has been
jailed in the Armenian capital, Yerevan, for more than two weeks
without bail. Arman Babadzhanian, editor-in-chief of Zhamanak Yerevan
(Yerevan Times), faces up to five years in prison for allegedly
forging documents to avoid military service, but the Committee to
Protect Journalists and others are concerned that the charge was
prompted by his newspaper’s critical reporting on government conduct.
Babadzhanian was arrested June 26, just days after the
Armenian-language newspaper published an article questioning the
independence of the prosecutor general’s office, said Seda Muradian,
of the London-based Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR),
which has followed the case closely. Authorities allege that the
forgeries occurred in 2002, but they did not explain the delay in
pressing charges.
Press reports said the prosecutor general summoned Babadzhanian for
questioning as a witness in a criminal case but jailed him instead
on the forgery charge. News reports said that the editor allegedly
confessed to forging documents to avoid the draft, but press freedom
and human rights groups are questioning the prosecutors’ motives.
Babadzhanian was being held today in the Nabarashen pretrial detention
center in Yerevan, according to the Yerevan Press Club. His lawyer
unsuccessfully sought Babadzhanian’s release from preliminary detention
while the case was pending. CPJ sources said that Babadzhanian could
remain imprisoned without bail for weeks before the case proceeds.
Muradian, Armenia country director for IWPR, said the prosecutor’s
refusal to grant Babadzhanian preliminary release on bail is very
unusual in this type of case. “Authorities are treating Babadzhanian
as a dangerous criminal,” Muradian told CPJ.
On Wednesday, the Yerevan Press Club, Internews Armenia, the Committee
to Protect Freedom of Expression, the Helsinki Committee of Armenia,
and other local press freedom groups sent a letter to the prosecutor
general’s office seeking Babadzhanian’s release on bail.
The groups also challenged the validity of Babadzhanian’s purported
confession. Also on Wednesday, editors of seven Armenian independent
and opposition newspapers issued a statement saying Babadzhanian’s
arrest was intended to intimidate the press.
“We are very concerned that the criminal case against Arman
Babadzhanian may be related to his journalism,” CPJ Executive Director
Joel Simon said today. “We call on Armenian authorities to release
him pending trial and make their evidence against him public.”
Babadzhanian’s colleagues from Zhamanak Yerevan staged protests in
front of the prosecutor general’s office for three days after their
editor was arrested, saying that the case is politically motivated
and connected to the paper’s critical editorial stance, according to
press reports.
Armenian independent press has come under pressure in recent years.
The independent television station A1+ has been refused a broadcast
license 11 times since it was taken off the air in 2002. In April
2005, legislation restricting press coverage of terrorism was
adopted. Retaliatory assaults against journalists continue, especially
in the provinces, and officials do little to apprehend and prosecute
the perpetrators, CPJ research shows.
CPJ is a New York-based, independent, nonprofit organization that
works to safeguard press freedom worldwide. For more information on
Armenia, visit
For further information, contact Nina Ognianova (x106) at CPJ, 330
Seventh Ave., New York, NY 10001, U.S.A., tel: +1 212 465 1004, fax:
+1 212 465 9568, e-mail: [email protected], Internet:
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility
of CPJ. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please
credit CPJ.
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OSCE chairman in-office personal representative Andrzey Kasprzyk is on a visit to Yerevan
Azeri Press Agency, Azerbaijan
July 7 2006
[ 06 Jul. 2006 17:48 ]
OSCE chairman in-office personal representative Andrzey Kasprzyk is
on a visit in Yerevan, Andrzey Kasprzyk’s field assistant has told APA.
It should be noted that under the mandate of OSCE chairman in-office
personal representative yesterday monitoring was held in Veyselli
village direction of Fuzuli region under the occupation of Armenian
Armed Forces and Khojavend region Kuropatkina village territory,
contact lines of the troops related to burning of Azerbaijani
territorie’ under the occupation by Armenia. Field assistant did not
give any information on the results of the monitoring in his talk
with APA correspondent./APA/

EUROPEAN COMMUNITY BEGINS TO PERCEIVE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE AS PART OF
ITS HISTORY, RUBEN SAFRASTIAN SAYS
YEREVAN, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. The aggressive actions
in Turkey against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II are the
reflection of radical moods among certain circles in Turkey. Ruben
Safrastian, Head of the Turkey Department of RA National Academy of
Sciences Oriental Studies Institute, declared at the July 7 discussion
at the Hayeli (Mirror) club dedicated to Armenian-Turkish relations.
According to him, the institution of the criminal case against the
Catholicos is an action contradicting all international norms.
As for the topicality of the issue of recognition of the Armenian
Genocide by Turkey, the scientist said that this issue is one of the
most important ones in the self-identification of Armenians. “Unless
we raise the question of the Genocide, this means we go against our
self-identification,” Ruben Safrastian said. At the same time, he
emphasized that the most important issue in the Armenian-Turkish
relations is the Karabakh problem and Turkey’s attitude to
it. Unfortunately, according to him, in the U.S., as well as in Turkey
they do not separate normalization of Armenian-Turkish relations from
the Nagorno Karabakh settlement. R.Safrastian said thay the Armenian
diplomacy should achieve differentiation of these two issues.
Safrastian expressed doubt that normalization of relations can be
achieved in case of bilateral Armenian-Turkish negotiations. “History
shows that Turkey seeing only Armenia in front of it starts exerting
pressure upon it. Armenia should come up in this issue as a country
having allies and, proceeding from Turkey’s striving for joining
EU, should choose Europe as its ally,” the scientist declared. He
mentioned that the European community started to perceive this fact
as part of its history and many public circles in Europe are perplexed
why Turkey does not recognize the Armenian Genocide.
Another participant of the discussion, Hrant Khachatrian, Chairman
of the Constitutional Law Union, also pointed to the great role
of the issue of Nagorno Karabakh settlement in the spectrum of
Armenian-Turkish relations. In his opinion, Europe should not admit
Turkey to EU, as this country is not democratic.

ARMENIA INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTS TO RECEIVE CREDIT AMOUNTING TO 30 MLN
USD FROM EBRD AND DEG
YEREVAN, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN. A credit agreement of 30 mln USD will be
signed in the coming days among RA Civil Aviation Chief Department
attached to RA government, Armenia International Airports CJSC,
European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and German
Investments and Development Company (DEG). Noyan Tapan correspondent
was informed about it by Gayane Davtian, Spokeswoman of Civil Aviation
Chief Department. She said that the credit will be provided for a
term of 7 years, for the purpose of modernization of Zvartnots airport.

Armenia’s HyeFilm to restore archives with da Vinci technology
Broadcast Engineering Online Exclusive
July 7, 2006
The newly privatized Armenian film studio HyeFilm is using da
Vinci’s Resolve digital mastering suite and Revival color image
restoration systems for digitizing and restoring the country’s vast
film archives. Using original negatives stored for decades in the
Soviet state film library in Moscow, HyeFilm will repair, enhance
and preserve Armenian film archives dating back to 1924.
The Resolve and Revival systems at HyeFilm are connected to a
common storage area network (SAN), enabling users to access the same
materials without having multiple copies between systems. HyeFilm
will use Revival to restore films using its tools for removing
dirt, dust, scratches and flicker, while also providing image
stabilization. Once the restoration processes are complete, the film
files are instantly accessible by Resolve for final color grading and
image enhancement. The Resolve system will also provide the required
deliverables such as SD and HD video for television broadcast, as well
as scanner files for film output for cinema release or archive storage.
Revival is a complete motion picture image restoration system
designed to handle everything from heavy-duty restoration to digital
remastering. The system offers deFlicker, as well as the removal
of dust, stain, blotch, dirt, grain and noise removal. An automatic
mode analyzes and processes images, while Revival’s interactive mode
enables manual restoration of individual sequences, allowing operators
to achieve the highest quality result at optimized speed.
For more information, visit
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

AMBASSADOR DIMITROV PRESENTES HASMIK POGHOSIAN FIRST COPY OF
ARMENIAN-BULGARIAN AND BULGARIAN-ARMENIAN DICTIONARY MADE UP BY
MARGARIT TERZIAN
YEREVAN, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Bulgarian Armenian
Margarit Terzian made up Armenian-Bulgarian and Bulgarian-Armenian
practical dictionary consisting of 50 thousand words and of an appendix
of place names.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Bulgaria to Armenia
Stefan Dimitrov presented Hasmik Poghosian, RA Minister on Culture
and Youth Affairs the first copy of the printed dictionary.
During the July 6 meeting with the Minister, the Ambassador emphasized
the necessity of strenghtening and developing the spiritual-cultural
ties between Armenia and Bulgaria.
Mrs. Poghosian expressed a viewpoint that the cooperation development
between the two countries is outlined by the friendship established
historically, and one of imperatives of its current stage is to promote
to linguistic mutual understanding of the two nations. According to the
Minister, the presentation of translations of the national literature
masterpieces, the preparation of translators of the Bulgarian and
Armenian languages can be one of its best manifestations.
As Noyan Tapan was informed from the Press Service of the Ministry
of Culture and Youth Affairs, the Ambassador and the Minister also
outlined the supremacy of cultural cooperation.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

TWO DOCUMENTARIES DEDICATED TO SPURRING OF PEACE AND DIALOGUE BETWEEN
ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN TO BE SHOWN AT GOLDEN APRICOT
YEREVAN, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. Two new documentary
films dedicated to the spurring of peace and dialogue between Armenia
and Azerbaijan will be shown during the Voske Tsiran (“Golden Apricot”)
second international film festival, which will be held on July 10-15
in Yerevan.
Having the same title, “In that Far Neighbor Village,” the films
present the distorted fates and aspiration to survive of the two
villages having common border, an Armenian and an Azerbaijani
ones. There are conversations with the natives in the films, where
the latters tell epizodes from their pre-war biography, from the
hard consequences of the war and very often express their infinite
aspiration to conciliate.
The Armenian branch of the Catholic Relief Service (CRS), Armenian
Round Table Foundation NGO and Inter-Church Organization for
Development Cooperation of Netherlands co-financed the films.
The Armenian version of the “In That Far Neighbor Village” film,
where the life in Aygepar is presented, was shot the “Shoghakat” TV
company, and the Azerbaijani version, which presents the life in the
neighbour Alibeyli village, was made by the Azerbaijan “Interniews
Azerbaijan” organization.
“The desire to life together, as the much-suffered inhabitants
of the Aygepar and Alibeyli villages express, is not a sensual
idea. Both Armenians and Azeries, especially in the border zone, fully
understand and appreciate the value of economic cooperation. Peace and
rehabilitation of trust have a pivotal meaning for their existance and
finally for the welfare and prosperity of their villages. They realize
that the unsteady ceasefire isn’t enough to return to normal life
and to freely contact with the neighbors,” mentioned Sona Hamalian,
Head of the Armenian Office of the Catholic Relief Service.
“In That Far Neighbour Village” documentary films will be shown twice
at the Golden Apricot film festival- at the Moscow cinema on July 11
and at the Nairi cinema on July 12. After each showing there will be
possibility of questioning with the representatives of the shooting
group of the Shoghakat TV company, Catholic Relief Service and the
Armenian Round Table Foundation.

JOHN EVANS: NO AMBASSADOR IS ETERNAL ON HIS POST, AND I’M GLAD THAT
THE SENATE WILL SOON CONFFIRM THE NEW AMBASSADOR
VANADZOR, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “No Ambassador
is eternal on his post, and I’m glad that the U.S. Senate will soon
confirm the new Ambassador,” declared U.S Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to Armenia John Evans answering the question connected
with his recall during the press conference held in Vanadzor on July 6.
The goal of the visit was to take part in the studies of the U.S
Peace Corps. During the press conference held after the meeting with
the Regional Governor of Lori marz, Henrik Kochinian, the Ambassador
also mentioned that he highly estimates the hospitality shown to him
each time in Lori marz, and that during each visit he sees changes.
In connection with the economic policy carried on in Armenia by
the United States, John Evans said that the financing of the
Millenniun Challenge program will begin in the second half of
2006. The goal of the program is to promote the development of rural
communities. Therefore, the main funds allocated by the program will be
directed to the road-building and to the improvement or construction
of irrigation systems. Those two spheres will also be financed in
Lori marz within the framework of the program.
To recap, the Administration suggested the candidacy of the present
U.S.
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Tajikistan Richard
Hoagland instead of John Evans as the U.S. Ambassador to Armenia. The
issue of his approval is already presented to the Senate. John Evans is
recalled still in the second year of his tenure, while all the other
U.S. Ambassadors to Armenia officiated at least three years. The
Armenian Americans, as well as a number American authoritative
newspapers, including The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times etc,
are convinced that Evans is recalled for the statements made during
the meetings with the American Armenian community in February 2005,
in which he recognized the Armenian Genocide.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress

MATTHEW BRYZA: AMBASSADOR SHOULD FOLLOW THE POLICY OF PRESIDENT AND
PRESIDENT BUSH’S POLICY ON MASS KILLINGS OF ARMENIANS IS VERY DISTINCT
YEREVAN, JULY 7, NOYAN TAPAN – ARMENIANS TODAY. “New U.S. Ambassador
Richard Hoagland will come to Armenia immediately after being
approved, I think in one or two weeks,” said OSCE Minsk Group
American Co-Chairman Matthew Bryza in an interview with Haykakan
Zhamanak newspaper. He also mentioned, that Hoagland “is very warm,
very attentive personality, who is deeply acquainted with the history
of Caucasus”.
As for Ambassador John Evans, then, according to Bryza, “he is a
wonderful person, an excellent Ambassador and our partner appreciated
by all of us here.” He added that it’s not fair to say that the
Ambassador was recalled: “People also say that he is discharged from
the diplomatical service. It’s not true. Generally each Ambassador
serves the President, and that means that he must follow the policy
carried on by the President. And President Bush’s policy on that
terrible events, the mass killings of Armenians is very distinct, as he
mentiones about it every year in his address”, said Bryza. According
to him, if someone does not agree with the policy of the President,
he can make his own decisions, though they should not be expressed
in public. “We all serve the President, and it is our task to support
his policy. Of course, our task is also to give him advice, but when
the thing concerns our statements in public, then we are obliged to
support the policy of the President”, announced the American diplomat.

TREND Information, Azerbaijan
July 7 2006
Azeri youth movement protests against countries receiving invitation
for participating in Armenian youth flight scheduled to be held in
Nagorno-Karabakh
Source: Trend
Author: J.Shahverdiyev
07.07.2006
The youth movement “Irali” of Azerbaijan protested against the
countries receiving invitation for participating in Armenian
youth flight “Base” (“Falcon”) scheduled for 26 July – August 1 in
Nagorno-Karabakh, Farhad Mammadov, the co-founder of the youth movement
“Irali”, told Trend.
This event is planned within the framework of the second Pan-Armenian
festival “One nation, one culture”. Within the 7-day event,
it is planned to hold about 40 meetings in regions of Armenia,
Nagorno-Karabakh and Javakhka.
The youth flight will bring together more than 2000 people from
Russia, Italy, USA, Austria, Australia, Turkey, Britain, France,
Iran and Syria.
Mammadov stressed that in connection with this event, the movement
“Irali” is planning to send appeals to the embassies of the countries
recognizing the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan and receiving
invitation to the Armenian event. “It will be stated in the appeal
that each illegal activity in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan
will be condemned. Besides, the visit of citizens of these countries
to the territory of Nagorno-Karabakh unless the war is finished will
be assessed as disrespect for the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan,”
Mammadov told.
According to Mammadiov the financing of such events by the Armenian
president and the conducting of them in Nagorno-Karabakh negatively
effect the peaceful regulation of Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.