Circumstances surrounding death of journalist questioned

(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is questioning the circumstances surrounding the death of journalist Tigran Hayrapetian in Erevan. According to RSF’s information, on 9 March 1999, at around midnight (local time), journalist Hayrapetian was run over by a car which fled the scene. The seriously injured journalist was urgently taken to hospital where he died a short […]

(RSF/IFEX) – RSF is questioning the circumstances surrounding the death
of
journalist Tigran Hayrapetian in Erevan. According to RSF’s information,
on
9 March 1999, at around midnight (local time), journalist Hayrapetian
was
run over by a car which fled the scene. The seriously injured journalist
was
urgently taken to hospital where he died a short time later.

Hayrapetian, 35, was a renowned journalist and vice director of the
National
Centre for Strategic Studies in Erevan. Editor-in-chief of the newspaper
“Nor Ughi”, he also collaborated with the dailies “Azg”, “Molorak”,
“Oragir”
and “Aravot”, and was a political commentator on state television. Known
for
his criticisms of authorities, he notably denounced the impunity of
numerous
killers of politicians in Armenia. Hayrapetian had actively supported
opposition candidate Ashot Bleyan during the 1998 presidential election
campaign.

RSF is questioning the circumstances surrounding Hayrapetian’s death.
Several facts lead one to believe that his death may not have been
accidental: the journalist was hit by a car in a well lit, wide avenue
while
he was close to the sidewalk; there was no sign of the car having tried
to
break at the scene of the accident, which leads one to believe that the
driver made no effort to avoid hitting the pedestrian.

Recommended Action

Mr. Robert Kotcharian

President

President House

Marhshal Baghramyan Avenue

19 Yerevan

Armenia

Fax: +3742 52 2364

E-mail: president@president.am