168 Zham newspaper reports that on Friday, April 17 the court of common law of Kentron and Nork-Marash Communities led by judge Armen Khachatryan have decided to fine Gagik Shamshyan, photojournalist of the Aravot (Morning) and the Chorord Ishkhanutyun (Fourth Power) newspapers by 350 000 drams (US$930). He was accused of his impolite attitude towards the court on August 5, 2008 during Smbat Ayvazyan’s trial, member of the political board of the Republican Party.

According to the accusant Gagik Shamshyan has named the judge “calf” or “fool”. Gagik Shamshyan announced he hasn’t used such words and assured he was going to take his claim to the Appeals Court, and in the case of a failure apply also to the European Court of Human Rights. Hetq.am internet periodical(April 13) informs that the criminal case brought before a court on August 11, 2008 on the basis of the attack on Lusineh Baghdasaryan, a journalist from the Haykakan Zhamanak daily (Armenian Times), has been dismissed as the criminals haven’t been revealed.

Read More »Press About Press: Armenian Media Digest, April 09-19