Action near Saryan statue
An action in defense of editor-in-chief of "Haykakan Zhamanak" daily Nikol Pashinyan was held today near the statue of Saryan.
Participating in the action were editors of a number of Armenian print and online media outlets. They signed a joint declaration demanding that the authorities guarantee Nikol Pashinyan's security and that the penitentiary take all measures to put an end such incidents.
According to Nikol Pashinyan, on the night of November 11 he was attacked by Special Service officials and this is the 2nd incident.
President of the "Committee for Defense of Freedom of Speech" Ashot Melikyan told journalists that the public must raise its voice and defend the citizen and the journalist. "I am sure that the voices will have an impact on the situation," said Melikyan.
Ashot Melikyan says the attack on Nikol Pashinyan was necessary for certain forces that have the purpose of silencing Pashinyan. "This is evident since it is the second incident. It is continuing and that says a lot. The demands set in front of Nikol say a lot about the planned actions aimed at silencing Nikol."
According to Nikol Pashinyan's wife Anna Hakobyan, the attack was on purpose and under three conditions-either file an appeal for amnesty, go to a penitentiary under a closed regime or suspend public activities during the stay at the penitentiary (writing articles and making speeches). "It is clear who is doing this and why based on the conditions. It would be naïve to think that the prisoners could have done this. It is evident that this is a political decision," said Hakobyan.
Editor-in-chief of "Hetq" online newspaper Edik Baghdasaryan says though they are currently raising the issue of Nikol Pashinyan's security at the penitentiary, he must be immediately released. "They can do anything they want with Nikol, besides silencing him. Nikol is the type of person who will write and speak out regardless of the conditions."
