Supporters demand release of Armenian TV station owner outside Yerevan court
A group of supporters of Armen Tavadyan, the owner of Armenian TV station Fifth Channel, are protesting in front of the Yerevan Court of Appeals, demanding his release.
The Special Investigative Service (SIS) detained Tavadyan on 24 December on suspicion of seeking false testimony in favor of Armenia’s jailed former President Robert Kocharyan.
The Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction upheld the SIS petition to remand Tavadyan into custody for two months on 26 December, a ruling appealed by his lawyers to a higher court.
The Yerevan appellate court is hearing the defense appeal at the moment.
Deputy Chairman of the former ruling Republican Party of Armenia Armen Ashotyan has also joined the protesters to fight for “the press freedom” in Armenia.
“Not only I, but also my colleagues, young people and citizens have gathered here, since the recent statements testify that the authorities are launching a fresh attack on the free speech. Today Armen Tavadyan bears the whole burden of the regime's repressive apparatus,” he said.
Related news
- Armenian TV station owner’s arrest ruling appealed, lawyer says
- Supporters of the owner of the Fifth Channel demand his immediate release from custody
- The Fifth Channel journalists call for protection of the free media and freedom of speech in Armenia
- Yerevan court approved the SIS petition to arrest the owner of the Fifth Channel
- Lawyer: Motion to keep Armenian TV station owner under arrest unsubstantiated