Journalist sues MP Ruben Hayrapetyan
Court of First Instance of Avan and Nor Nork Administrative Districts today started pre-trial hearing into the slander suit filed by Hetq journalist Grisha Balasanyan against MP Ruben Hayrapetyan.
Balasanyan has charged Hayrapetyan with using foul language of a sexually explicit nature directed against him during a phone interview in February. Balasanyan demands that the court make the deputy apologize and pay 1 million drams as compensation and cover legal expenses.
During the telephone conversation, Hayrapetyan called Balasanyan "ignoramus" and refused to answer his questions. During the second call, the MP used foul language against the journalist.
Hayrapetyan's Representative Gevorg Gevorgyan today announced in court that they would present their arguments during the trial which is set for April 27.
Hetq is an online newspaper published in Yerevan by the Investigative Journalists NGO.
