Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
06YEREVAN1230
2006-09-08 03:56:00
UNCLASSIFIED//FOR OFFICIAL USE ONLY
Embassy Yerevan
Cable title:
OPPOSITION "IRAVUNK" NEWSPAPER EDITOR ASSAULTED
how-toVZCZCXRO4481 RR RUEHDBU RUEHLN RUEHVK RUEHYG DE RUEHYE #1230 2510356 ZNR UUUUU ZZH R 080356Z SEP 06 FM AMEMBASSY YEREVAN TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 3864 INFO RUCNCIS/CIS COLLECTIVE
UNCLAS YEREVAN 001230
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DRL AND EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM AM
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION "IRAVUNK" NEWSPAPER EDITOR ASSAULTED
REF: A) YEREVAN 830 B) YEREVAN 983
UNCLAS YEREVAN 001230
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DRL AND EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM AM
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION "IRAVUNK" NEWSPAPER EDITOR ASSAULTED
REF: A) YEREVAN 830 B) YEREVAN 983
1. (U) The editor-in-chief, Hovanes Galajyan, of the
opposition-linked newspaper Iravunk (Law) was attacked by two
"skinheads" outside his apartment the morning of September 6. He
was knocked to the ground and beaten by the assailants, but not
seriously injured. There were no weapons involved.
2. (SBU) Galajyan told PAO staff that the attackers were lying in
wait for him outside his building when he left for work. He is
convinced that the attack is related to his newspaper work, but was
unsure what exactly might have prompted the incident. The attackers
fled when bystanders began to gather, having said nothing to
indicate a motive. Galajyan had been threatened several days
previously by an anonymous caller. Galajyan noted that his
previous-day's editorial contained a harsh criticism of defense
minister Serzh Sargsian, but he also noted that his paper has
recently taken on a variety of other political and social topics.
Galajyan told PAO staff he will not be intimidated, but will
continue to publish as he sees fit.
3. (SBU) Iravunk has one of the largest circulations (about 9,000)
of any print media in Armenia. The newspaper is officially
sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Party, which is among the
smaller parties in the opposition Justice Bloc.
EVANS
SIPDIS
SENSITIVE
SIPDIS
DEPT FOR DRL AND EUR/CARC
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PHUM AM
SUBJECT: OPPOSITION "IRAVUNK" NEWSPAPER EDITOR ASSAULTED
REF: A) YEREVAN 830 B) YEREVAN 983
1. (U) The editor-in-chief, Hovanes Galajyan, of the
opposition-linked newspaper Iravunk (Law) was attacked by two
"skinheads" outside his apartment the morning of September 6. He
was knocked to the ground and beaten by the assailants, but not
seriously injured. There were no weapons involved.
2. (SBU) Galajyan told PAO staff that the attackers were lying in
wait for him outside his building when he left for work. He is
convinced that the attack is related to his newspaper work, but was
unsure what exactly might have prompted the incident. The attackers
fled when bystanders began to gather, having said nothing to
indicate a motive. Galajyan had been threatened several days
previously by an anonymous caller. Galajyan noted that his
previous-day's editorial contained a harsh criticism of defense
minister Serzh Sargsian, but he also noted that his paper has
recently taken on a variety of other political and social topics.
Galajyan told PAO staff he will not be intimidated, but will
continue to publish as he sees fit.
3. (SBU) Iravunk has one of the largest circulations (about 9,000)
of any print media in Armenia. The newspaper is officially
sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Party, which is among the
smaller parties in the opposition Justice Bloc.
EVANS