Journalist organizations condemn attack on journalist 

ArmInfo.  Several journalistic organizations issued a joint statement condemning the attack on journalist and Yerevan Press Club expert Hakob Karapetyan after criticizing the fine system introduced by the Yerevan City  Hall.

"We, the undersigned journalistic organizations, express our outrage  over the brutal attack on journalist Hakob Karapetyan. Considering  the criminal case initiated in connection with the incident, we  demand that law enforcement agencies responsibly and thoroughly  investigate this case, identify and prosecute not only the  perpetrator, but also his possible mastermind and sponsor," the  statement reads.

Journalist organizations also demand that Yerevan Mayor Tigran  Avinyan also investigate the behavior of Acting Head of the Yerevan  Municipality's Public Order Service, Avetik Babayan, regarding the  incident involving threats and insults directed at a journalist, and,  if the facts are confirmed, immediately dismiss him from his post.

"At the same time, we express deep concern that Tigran Avinyan  himself displayed extreme irritability during his press conference on  September 15 and made unfounded accusations against the media. This  is yet another example of a trend, particularly observed recently, in  which representatives of the ruling elite attack even media outlets  that advocate quality journalism and have earned a reputation for  impartiality. It would take a very rich imagination to accuse the  online investigative journalism outlet Hetq of corruption and  producing commissioned articles, as Avinyan did. Although the outlet  was not named, the fact that the mayor attacked Hetq is beyond  doubt," the statement continues.

Journalistic organizations are convinced that such an attitude breeds  hatred toward journalism and journalists in general, which creates  the grounds for various manifestations of intolerance, including  violence. And the case of Hakob Karapetyan is just one of many  examples.

The statement was signed by the Committee to Protect Freedom of  Speech, the Media Initiatives Center, the Institute for Multilateral  Information - Armenia, the Asparez Journalist Club, the Public  Journalism Club, the Journalists for the Future NGO, the Journalists  for Human Rights NGO, and the Yerevan Press Club.

Earlier, Karapetyan reported that he was attacked by an unknown  person in a mask after he criticized the ineffective system of fines  for non-payment of public transport fares introduced by the Yerevan  Municipality. Karapetyan believes that he was attacked on the orders  of the acting head of the Public Order Service of the Yerevan  Municipality Avetik Babayan.