By Sargis Aghakhanyan
YEREVAN. – Russian state media is mocking at the Armenian citizen accused of a tragic car crash in Moscow region. This conclusion can be drawn after watching the reports of the state channels and information agencies about yesterday’s court hearings in Moscow.
Obviously, in order to create “the most convincing video” the most mocking report was prepared by the government-owned All-Russia State Television and Radio Broadcasting Company (VGTRK) and the correspondent of “Vesti” news program Olga Skabeyeva, one of the favorite reporters of Russian leader Vladimir Putin.
“A man in a multicolored flannel robe and sneakers without socks is Hrachya Harutyunyan. Three injuries received during a fall on the pavement, scratches on the hand, cheek and leg. You can see a bandage under his robe which is not a danger to a healthy 46-year-old Armenian citizen. After re-examination driver was taken to the Tver Court of Moscow. Harutyunyan never raised his eyes. His bellow (as witnesses say) and refusal to testify is not related to the state of health, it is a performance,” the report said.
The Russian state television reporter is not only violating the basic norms of journalism ethics, but also showing obvious incompetence in the field of human rights protection. At the very least, the author of this report is not concerned over the presumption of innocence and the fact that Harutyunyan is only a defendant.
Skabeyeva “forgets” that the man is brought to court in a robe, which is a flagrant violation of basic human rights, a mockery of the citizen of a state which is a military and strategic ally.
But in the end the people in favor of a strong Russian-Armenian military-strategic and economic union have to remember not the victims of terrible tragedy but think about the consequences of the Russian state-run media policies, encouraging the growth of anti-Caucasian sentiments in Russia and anti-Russian - in the Caucasus, especially in Armenia. Isn’t it time for relevant government agencies of Armenia to reflect on what is going on? At least invite Russian ambassador to the Foreign Ministry and ask him for explanations regarding government-run media’s information policy.
