Reporter says detention of Armenian opposition podcasters target free speech and media

The detention of two Armenian opposition podcasters amounts to a broader attack on media freedom and free speech in Armenia, AntiFake journalist David Fidanyan said at a protest outside the National Assembly on Thursday.

Speaking at the rally during the visit of Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Michael O’Flaherty, Fidanyan accused Western human rights institutions of remaining silent in the face of political repression under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government.

“Western organisations tasked with defending human rights and democratic values have deviated from that mission,” Fidanyan told reporters. He said such bodies were displaying “criminal silence” over political persecutions in Armenia.

Fidanyan stressed Armenia currently holds dozens of political prisoners, including Imnemnimi podcast co-hosts Narek Samsonyan and Vazgen Saghatelyan, who were detained for responding to insults from the parliament speaker.

He also claimed that clerics, community leaders, politicians and activists have been jailed solely for expressing opposition views.

“This is one of the most disgraceful acts of repression under the Pashinyan regime,” Fidanyan said. “Not only have Samsonyan and Saghatelyan been targeted, along with the AntiFake editorial team, but the entire media space and free speech in Armenia are under attack.”

Fidanyan said protesters would continue campaigning against restrictions on free expression and demanded the release of prisoners held in both Armenian and Azerbaijani jails.