Epress.am News from Armenia
The European Court of Human Rights on Thursday issued a verdict in favor of the Armenian Gyumri-based Gala TV news broadcaster, ruling that Armenian courts have violated the right of the media to a fair trial.
Recall, in 2007 the State Revenue Committee by Armenia’s government conducted inspections at the television company and accused Gala TV of tax evasion worth AMD 25.6 million ($51 000). According to the Committee, the alleged tax fraud reports had been filed by then-chairman of the National Commission on Television and Radio Grigor Amalyan and some other television companies. Gala TV, in turn, denied the accusations and motioned that Amalyan and the other witnessed be brought to court for testimony. The court, however, denied the motion and issued a verdict in favor of the State Revenue Committee.
The European Court has now found that the first instance court has violated the international human rights standards for fair trials and decided that Armenian authorities should reopen the case. The Court also ruled that Armenia is to pay Gala TV 2,400 euros in nonpecuniary damages.
Speaking to Epress.am on Friday, Karen Tumanyan, a lawyer for Gala TV, said the issue of material damages – 64 000 euros – will be revisited after the case reinvestigation is complete.
“On September 21, September 22 and October 14, 2007, Gala TV broadcast Armenian first president Levon Ter-Petrosyan’s speeches criticizing the country’s ruling authorities, after which the TV company became a target for political, tax, and judicial pressure,” Tumanyan added.