"Chorrord Ishkhanutiun" (the fourth power) daily was not issued on November 10, 2009. Instead, identical in design and content, "Chorrord Inknishkhanutiun" (the fourth sovereignty) newspaper appeared in newsstands. The publication of the newspaper, well-known to the reading public, was ceased based upon Kentron and Nork Marash administrative district court ruling made by Judge Gagik Khandanyan on "banning "Chorrord Ishkhanutiun" daily newspaper's publication by "Trespassers W." LLC, or by any other company in any other printing house." The Service for Compulsory Execution of Judicial Acts opened proceedings based on the court ruling. An economic dispute between "Gind" printing house and the publisher of "Chorrord Ishkhanutyun," "Ogostos" LLC carrying out media activity, served an occasion for such a ruling. We, the representatives of non governmental organizations, consider banning publication of the newspaper as infringement of the right on free dissemination of information. Moreover, the ruling, whatever it is stipulated by, contradicts Article 27 of the Armenian Constitution and Article 10 of the European Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms. Based on the abovementioned, we demand * to void the court ruling, which runs counter the democratic principles, * to stop the persecution of "Chorrord Ishkhanutiun" and to solve the problem on a purely financial pattern.
Committee to Protect Freedom of Expression, Yerevan Press Club, "Internews" Media Support NGO, Media Diversity Institute-Armenia, "Asparez" Journalist's Club, Vanadzor Press Club Transparency International Anti-corruption Center, Helsinki Committee of Armenia
