Two newspaper editors to be prosecuted for disturbing the peace

Reporters Without Borders condemns the arrest of two opposition newspaper editors - Nikol Pashinian of Haykakan Jamanak and Shoger Matevossian of Chorrord Ishkhanutiun - along with some 10 supporters of former President Levon Ter-Petrosian during an opposition march in Yerevan on 23 October.

After being freed the next day, the two journalists learned at a press conference given by the police that they are to be prosecuted under articles 258 and 316 of the criminal code for “disturbing the peace” and “violence against an official.” The charges carry a maximum sentence of a month in prison and a fine equivalent to 50 times the minimum monthly wage.

“We call on the Armenian authorities to drop the charges against Pashinian and Matevossian and to show more tolerance towards opposition journalists,” Reporters Without Borders said.

According to the Yerevan Press Club, the police confiscated the camera of photographer David Jalalian of the newspaper Haik when he went to the police station where the opposition members were being held. The camera was finally returned but some of his photos had been deleted by the police.