"Campaign against presses continues"
Statement by Freedom and Right Center NGO (President, advocate Vardan Harutyunyan):
"After the shutdown of "A1+" TV, the Armenian authorities believed that from that point on, all television channels were under their total control and that there would never be free television in Armenia.
However, their plans failed after GALA TV filed an appeal to work independently in the period preceding the 2008 presidential elections. It is clear that this could not fit in the logic and plans of the Armenian authorities.
Since 2007, by using all levers at their disposal, the authorities have been doing everything possible to prevent GALA TV from broadcasting. In contrast to the authorities' desires, theillegitimate pressures and persecutions, phony trials and absurd fines, GALA continued to stay on air. Today, on the threshold of the upcoming elections, the authorities have thought of a new way of depriving the television station of airtime by demolishing the equipment that the company uses for broadcasting.
The authorities' campaign against presses, which has been going on for over ten years and is gaining momentum, is only aimed at setting restrictions on free speech and make their own regeneration through falsified elections " without any scandals" and "without any turbulence".
The Freedom and Right Center NGO, condemning the Armenian authorities' attacks against freedom of speech and press, expresses support to GALA TV. We are certain that through our combined efforts we will be able to put an end to the totalitarian victory campaign in Armenia."
