Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
04YEREVAN1925
2004-08-31 12:30:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:  

PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR JOINS JOURNALIST TO MAKE

Tags:  PHUM PGOV PREL AM 
pdf how-to read a cable
This record is a partial extract of the original cable. The full text of the original cable is not available.
UNCLAS YEREVAN 001925 

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL AM
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR JOINS JOURNALIST TO MAKE
A STATEMENT AGAINST VIOLENCE

REF: YEREVAN 1878

(U) Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001925

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN, DRL

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM PGOV PREL AM
SUBJECT: PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR JOINS JOURNALIST TO MAKE
A STATEMENT AGAINST VIOLENCE

REF: YEREVAN 1878

(U) Sensitive but unclassified. Please protect
accordingly.


1. (SBU) Summary. The GOAM took the high road in
response to a physical attack on an investigative
journalist on August 24 (reftel). The alleged attacker
was arrested while Armenia's Prosecutor General pressed
charges. A senior advisor to President Kocharian
joined journalists in a "protest" on August 28 to show
support for their independence. End Summary.

--------------
THE ATTACK
--------------


2. (SBU) On August 24, investigative journalist Mkhitar
Kchachatrian was roughed up after he photographed a
luxury villa as part of a story on construction in
"protected" zones, and Kchachtrian surrendered the
photo card from his digital camera. After the attack,
Kchackatrian stated that he would not go to the police
because he believed authorities would not pursue the
case.

--------------
ALLEGED ATTACKER DETAINED
--------------


3. (SBU) Armenian authorities briefly detained Gagik
Stepanian on August 25 in connection with the August 24
attack on investigative journalist Mkhitar
Kchachatrian. An official at the Prosecutor General's
office confirmed to us that Stepanian turned himself in
to authorities, who later released him pending trial on
charges of "hooliganism" and interfering with the
performance of someone's professional duties.
According to press reports, Stepanian is employed as a
bodyguard for Levon Sargsyan, a wealthy member of the
National Assembly; we cannot confirm these reports.

--------------
HIGH-LEVEL SUPPORT FOR JOURNALISTS
--------------


4. (SBU) Journalists rallied to support their
colleague. In a surprising display of support for
journalist freedom, Armenian presidential advisor
Bagrat Yesayan accompanied approximately ten
journalists August 28 during their tour of the city
where the alleged attack took place. During their
tour, widely billed as a "protest" for freedom of the
press, the journalists took pictures of several luxury
estates in the area. There were no confrontations with
security or incidences of violence during the
"protest."
EVANS