“Independent journalists’ net” NGO

Affiliated media: Epress.am, Founder

Incident date: August 29, 2017

Attack type:

• Prosecution for libel, insult, violation of privacy (1)

Who attacked: Authorities

Source: Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression

Location: Armenia, Yerevan

Additional information:

On August 29, Vahe Hakobyan, the governor of Syunik, filed a lawsuit to Kentron and Norq-Marash administrative district courts of general jurisdiction against environmentalist Arthur Grigoryan from “Aravot daily” Ltd, the founder of the news site “Aravot.am”, the “Independent journalists’ net” NGO, the founder of the news site “Epress.am”, and “Syuniac ashkharh” Ltd., the founder of the news site “Syuniacyerkir.am”. The reason for the lawsuit was the publication by those news sites a report by Arthur Grigoryan to the prosecutor’s office in Armenia about an alleged crime committed by the governor. Hakobyan demanded a retraction and compensation of AMD 2 million for the damage to his honour and dignity. On September 1, court proceedings on the case began.