Vahe Makaryan

Affiliated media: Journalist

Incident date: January 12, 2026

Attack type:

• Court trial

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Judicial information system

Location: Armenia, Yerevan

Additional information:

On 12 January, the Head of the Internal Security Department of the State Revenue Committee of the Republic of Armenia, Garnik Margaryan, filed a lawsuit with the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction against journalist Vahe Makaryan, seeking a retraction of information allegedly damaging to his honour and dignity, as well as financial compensation for defamation. The claim was prompted by information periodically circulated by the journalist on various social media platforms alleging that 400 mobile phones had been smuggled into Armenia and that it could not be ruled out that Garnik Margaryan might also be held accountable in connection with the case. The lawsuit is currently under consideration.