"A MATTER OF HONOUR"

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[05:47 pm] 17 September, 2007

The New Times Party (NZhK) condemns the September 15 attack on
Hovhannes Galajyan, the editor-in-chief of "Iskakan Iravunk" newspaper.

We call on the law-enforcement bodies to find and to punish the
criminals. It is a matter of honour for Prosecutor General Aghvan
Hovsepyan to expose the wrongdoers, the NZhK statement runs.

The incident was criticized and condemned by the Heritage Party and
the Armenian Democratic Party.

Heritage Statement on the Brutal Beating of Hovhannes Galajian The
Heritage Party and its parliamentary fraction deplore the vile act
committed, on September 15 against Hovhannes Galajian, editor-in-chief
of Iskakan Iravunk weekly. Galajian was attacked by two assailants
and beaten with metal bars near his place of work.

Regrettably, violent crimes committed against journalists are becoming
more commonplace. These actions take place more frequently during the
pre-election season and remain unexposed for the most part, whereas
their architects and perpetrators continue to enjoy liberty. This
particular malicious act might not have ocurred had our relevant
state bodies uncovered in the past the numerous encroachments upon
the free expression of thought and the right to receive information,
and if certain halls of power and high-level officials had not backed
the criminals and thus obstructed solution of the crimes.

Today, Larisa Alaverdian, Stepan Safarian, and Armen
Martirosian-members of Heritage’s parliamentary group-visited Hovhannes
Galajian, who had just undergone surgery and is still being kept in the
intensive care department at St. Gregory the Illuminator Hospital. On
behalf of the Heritage Party and its parliamentary delegation, the
MPs conveyed their solidarity with the journalist and fellow citizen.

Condemning this heinous crime, the Heritage Party and parliamentary
group call on the Republic’s law enforcers to reveal the motives
behind, and the executors of, this grave felony. The legitimacy,
dignity, and reputation of the Armenian state, authorities, and all
of us depend on the full disclosure of this transgression and the
bringing of its engineers to justice. The promise of democracy for
Armenia demands no less.