US embassy cable - 04YEREVAN1925

UNCLAS YEREVAN 001925 
 
SIPDIS 
 
SENSITIVE 
 
DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/CACEN, DRL 
 
E.O. 12958:  N/A 
TAGS: PHUM, PGOV, PREL, AM 
SUBJECT:  PRESIDENTIAL ADVISOR JOINS JOURNALIST TO MAKE 
A STATEMENT AGAINST VIOLENCE 
 
REF:  YEREVAN 1878 
 
(U) Sensitive but unclassified.  Please protect 
accordingly. 
 
1. (SBU) Summary.  The GOAM took the high road in 
response to a physical attack on an investigative 
journalist on August 24 (reftel).  The alleged attacker 
was arrested while Armenia's Prosecutor General pressed 
charges.  A senior advisor to President Kocharian 
joined journalists in a "protest" on August 28 to show 
support for their independence.  End Summary. 
 
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THE ATTACK 
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2. (SBU) On August 24, investigative journalist Mkhitar 
Kchachatrian was roughed up after he photographed a 
luxury villa as part of a story on construction in 
"protected" zones, and Kchachtrian surrendered the 
photo card from his digital camera.  After the attack, 
Kchackatrian stated that he would not go to the police 
because he believed authorities would not pursue the 
case. 
 
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ALLEGED ATTACKER DETAINED 
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3. (SBU) Armenian authorities briefly detained Gagik 
Stepanian on August 25 in connection with the August 24 
attack on investigative journalist Mkhitar 
Kchachatrian.  An official at the Prosecutor General's 
office confirmed to us that Stepanian turned himself in 
to authorities, who later released him pending trial on 
charges of "hooliganism" and interfering with the 
performance of someone's professional duties. 
According to press reports, Stepanian is employed as a 
bodyguard for Levon Sargsyan, a wealthy member of the 
National Assembly; we cannot confirm these reports. 
 
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HIGH-LEVEL SUPPORT FOR JOURNALISTS 
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4. (SBU) Journalists rallied to support their 
colleague.  In a surprising display of support for 
journalist freedom, Armenian presidential advisor 
Bagrat Yesayan accompanied approximately ten 
journalists August 28 during their tour of the city 
where the alleged attack took place.  During their 
tour, widely billed as a "protest" for freedom of the 
press, the journalists took pictures of several luxury 
estates in the area.  There were no confrontations with 
security or incidences of violence during the 
"protest." 
EVANS