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A member of the Armenian delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE), MP Naira Zohrabyan on Tuesday discussed the upcoming snap parliamentary elections in Armenia with President of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio.

“I just met with President of the Venice Commission Gianni Buquicchio. Naturally, the main topic of discussion was the upcoming early parliamentary elections, recent amendments to the Electoral Code, disproportionate penalties for defamation and insult offenses, as well as public sentiments ahead of the elections,” she wrote on Facebook.

“The Venice Commission president expressed concerns about fake news, considering it a serious challenge to democracy and freedom of speech in Armenia.

“I also discussed with Gianni Buquicchio the introduction of such legislative initiatives against defamation and insult, which would not harm freedom of speech in Armenia and would not become a tool in the hands of the authorities in the fight against political opponents and the media.

“I also conveyed my observations on the unacceptable government-drafted amendments to the Civil Code to the PACE Monitoring Committee and the Council of Europe co-rapporteurs on Armenia,” she said.