OSCE calls Armenian authorities to investigate Argishti Kiviryan attackMay 1, 2009 - 01:56 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media, Miklos Haraszti, asked the Armenian authorities to swiftly investigate the brutal attack against Argishti Kiviryan, coordinator of the Armenia Today information portal, who was severely beaten today, OSCE official web-site reports. "The lack of results into cases of violence against journalists creates an atmosphere of impunity for the perpetrators and can provoke other cases of violence against media workers," wrote Haraszti in a letter to Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandyan and Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan. The Representative expressed concern over continuing violence against journalists in Armenia referring to the unresolved cases of violence against Lusine Barseghyan from the opposition newspaper Haykakan Zhamanak; Hrach Melkumyan, the acting Chief of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's Yerevan bureau; and Edik Baghdasaryan, the Chairman of the Investigative Journalists' Association. "In light of today's attack against Argishti Kiviryan, I once again call on your authorities to swiftly and thoroughly investigate all cases of violence against journalists, and also to publicly express their firm commitment to ensure the safety of Armenian journalists." Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |