OSCE Office condemns violence against journalists in Armenia

YEREVAN, 8 April 2004 - Ambassador Vladimir Pryakhin, the Head of the OSCE Office in Yerevan, condemned the attacks on journalists that occurred at an opposition rally in Yerevan on 5 April.

"Any violence against journalists should be condemned, the instigators identified and criminal proceedings against them initiated," said Ambassador Pryakhin in a statement to Radio Liberty and to an Armenian daily newspaper, Aravot. "I hope the Armenian authorities will keep their promises to take the necessary measures in this respect," he added.

Ambassador Pryakhin also expressed his serious concern about the arrest of Suren Surenyans, one of the leaders of the Republic Party and editor-in-chief of the party's newspaper, the night before the opposition rally.

"The OSCE Office in Yerevan will closely follow the developments regarding this case," Ambassador Pryakhin said.