The editors of News.am made a statement in connection with today`s  visit to the site by the police

ArmInfo. The editors of News.am made a statement in connection with today's visit to the editorial staff by the police

The statement, in particular, states that during the election  campaign, the editors have also posted the live videos by RPA deputy  chairman Eduard Sharmazanov, including "They started looking for  people who will give evidence against us: Sharmazanov provides names"  and "Sharmazanov: RPA supporters are called to police for  explanations".

''Representative of the General Department of Criminal Investigation  visited the office of NEWS.am on December 7 evening demanding that we  should provide the evidence with the proofs of the above mentioned  statements.

After the lawyers interfered, the police employee left two notes that  mention the publications and contain a request to provide "specific  or additional facts proving the above mentioned".Police employee said  this was not his last visit to NEWS.am editorial, and he will  periodically visit the office demanding similar proofs in connection  with various publications. Two police officers from Shengavit police  department visited the office after the agency's chief editor posted  a relevant message on Facebook. They tried to assure that they were  neither aware of who had visited the office, nor they knew the goal  of his visit. They assumed that the visitor might not be an employee  of police'', the statement noted.

Also the statement reads, that such a visit conducted two days ahead  of the election and "the threats" to come back periodically, are  nothing but an attempt to influence number one news agency in Armenia  and the region and are targeted at interfering with full and  comprehensive coverage of the elections.

Such an approach is unacceptable and endangers the freedom of speech  in a country that has declared itself a democratic and legitimate  state.

Editorial declared that they will continue working in the style we  always adhered to, that is we will henceforth continue providing  impartial and comprehensive information and will not permit violation  of our rights as well as any attempt of direct and indirect pressure. 

Later, the RA Police made a statement in which it confirmed the fact  of the visit of its employee to the editors of the agency to deliver  the message. The lawyers of the editorial board intervened in the  case, got acquainted with the document and the management of the  editorial office signed a letter.