Armenian Authorities’ Campaign Against Independent Media Continues: GALA

Today the case of Gyumri City Hall vs. CHAP LLC and the counter suit (CHAP LLC vs. Gyumri City Hall) concluded, according to a statement by GALA TV, which is run by CHAP LLC.

“Today, Judge Shirak Hakobyan of the Shirak District Court of First Instance announced a ruling that once again proved that the authorities’ campaign against independent news outlets continues to gain momentum.

“The court sustained Gyumri City Hall’s suit and required the transmitter antenna and cable on the TV tower belonging to CHAP LLC located at 6/1 V. Sargsyan be dismantled in one month. And CHAP LLC’s lawsuit against Gyumri City Hall, the demand to establish its right to limited use of the tower, the court overruled. The judge also cautioned the parties that if the ruling is not voluntarily implemented, it will be carried out through the Judicial Acts Compulsory Enforcement Service,” reads the statement.

Note, city hall states that the TV tower belongs to the city and GALA TV was making use of it illegally, while CHAP LLC states the certificate of the tower’s ownership was received by the municipality only in 2007. Furthermore, GALA has operated the tower since 2005, including taking on the renovations and reenforcing the transmitter.

Recall that in 2008, the Shirak District Court of First Instance also issued a similar ruling. The appeals court assumed the position that the city hall’s lawsuit should be sustained; however, the RA Court of Cessation overturned the RA Court of Appeals’ ruling and again sent the case to RA Shirak District Court of First Instance — with a new lineup and a new investigation.

“The new lineup also remained persistent and made a decision which was to be expected. The background of this case, the long delays, the [work] stoppages, once again confirmed that the government simply set a goal to buy time and at the right moment, to silence GALA TV,” reads the statement.

GALA TV notes that it considers the court ruling to be obviously biased and unlawful.

“Thus, we will continue the fight for freedom of speech and the constitutional right to provide the public with objective information,” reads the statement.