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 | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |