PRESS RELEASE FIDH/CSI - Armenia - Press Release Brutal attack

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FIDH/CSI - Armenia - Press Release
Brutal attack of journalist and lawyer Argishti Kiviryan
Paris, Erevan, April 30 2009 - On April 30, 2009 early in the morning, Argishti
Kiviryan, editor of the electronic newspaper Armenia Today and a member of the
Armenian Bar Association, was severely beaten right in front of his house. Three
unidentif ied people severely beat Kiviryan with wooden sticks and then attempted
to shoot him. He received blows to the face, head, and feet. He was taken to
hospital where he was admitted to the reanimation unit. Currently his life is not in
danger.
This brutal assault against Argishti Kiviryan is not the only assault suffered by
journalists. A number of journalists have been beaten and threatened during the
course of their daily work. In November 2008, journalist and rights defender Edik
Baghdasaryan was severely beaten and so far, the perpetrators of this crime have
still not been found and brought to account.
FIDH and CSI are deeply concerned regarding this event and the overall mood
prevailing in the country, particularly as freedom of speech, one of the important
tenets of democracy and a free state, is under threat.
FIDH and CSI call upon RA President, Prime Minister, Chief Prosecutor and Head
of Police to condemn this latest event and immediately take concrete action to
find and prosecute the guilty parties.
Press release : +33-1 43 55 90 19
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