ArmInfo.Special Investigation Service of Armenia opened a criminal case in connection with the publication in the Hraparak newspaper of information on the criminal record of the Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructures of the Republic of Armenia Suren Papikyan.
According to the publication, the minister has a criminal record for stabbing his commander during his military service. Earlier, Papikyan, commenting on this publication, called it an attempt to denigrate his name due to the fact that he headed the "YES" campaign in the constitutional referendum.
According to the Prosecutor General's Office, the criminal case was opened on the basis of Article 144 (illegal collection, storage, use or dissemination of information about personal or family life) and part 1 of Article 308 (abuse of power) of the RA Criminal Code. A preliminary investigation is underway.
Meanwhile, the Union of Journalists of Armenia condemned the decision to institute a criminal case, calling it an attempt by the authorities to exert pressure on the media and restrict freedom of speech.