Suit brought against parliamentarian Rouben Hayrapetyan of the National Assembly by journalist Grisha Balasanyan of the “Hetq” periodical launched on April 6 in the Court of First Instance of Avan and Nor Nork Communities of Yerevan.
The reporter requires the court to oblige Rouben Hayrapetyan to apologize and pay monetary compensation for insulting his honor and dignity.
“The defendant has offended my client, displayed unacceptable interference towards his private and family life,” Balasanyan’s lawyer Vahe Grigorian stated in the court.
On February 2, when the reporter called Rouben Hayrapetyan on cell phone to come to an arrangement on an interview, the deputy first called him ignorant, then cursed, then added, “I did well.”
The plaintiff presented the court evidences, including the record of swearing by Rouben Hayrapetyan as a response to the reporter’s question.
However, MP Rouben Hayrapetyan’s lawyer Gevorg Gevorgyan announced that they object to the claim.
“Dear Court, we will exactly present our position on a trial. At this phase, I declare, we do not accept the facts, we do not accept the claim,” said the lawyer.
Suit brought against parliamentarian Rouben Hayrapetyan of the National Assembly by journalist Grisha Balasanyan of the “Hetq” periodical launched on April 6 in the Court of First Instance of Avan and Nor Nork Communities of Yerevan.
The reporter requires the court to oblige Rouben Hayrapetyan to apologize and pay monetary compensation for insulting his honor and dignity.
“The defendant has offended my client, displayed unacceptable interference towards his private and family life,” Balasanyan’s lawyer Vahe Grigorian stated in the court.
On February 2, when the reporter called Rouben Hayrapetyan on cell phone to come to an arrangement on an interview, the deputy first called him ignorant, then cursed, then added, “I did well.”
The plaintiff presented the court evidences, including the record of swearing by Rouben Hayrapetyan as a response to the reporter’s question.
However, MP Rouben Hayrapetyan’s lawyer Gevorg Gevorgyan announced that they object to the claim.
“Dear Court, we will exactly present our position on a trial. At this phase, I declare, we do not accept the facts, we do not accept the claim,” said the lawyer.
He refused to answer lawyer Vahe Grigoryan’s questions on whether he objects that a telephone conversation between the MP and the journalist took place on February 2, whether there was an insult addressed to the journalist in the deputy’s statements, etc.
Rouben Hayrapetyan’s lawyer declared that he would not answer those questions in the preliminary court session but they would represent their position during the trial which was appointed on April 27.
Before applying to the court the “Hetq” journalist Grisha Balasanyan had submitted a message to the General Prosecutor’s Office requesting to take measures to initiate criminal proceedings against Rouben Hayrapetyan on the grounds that the MP has obviously hampered the journalist to implement his legal professional activities.
The Special Investigative Service (SIS) had refused to bring an action, arguing that the MP has not prevented Grisha Balasanyan’s professional activities. At the same time SIS had quoted also Rouben Hayrapetyan’s explanation who had told the journalist he was in low spirits, had health problems that day and instructed the journalist to turn to his press secretary with questions and had switched off the telephone. And when the same journalist had called him once again he’d got angry and told him insulting words.
Source for Armenian version: http://www.azatutyun.am/content/article/3548730.html