National press club issued a statement voicing its indignation over the verdict of conviction against Haykakan Zhamanak daily chief editor Nikol Pashinyan.

“Accusations of fomenting unrests are nothing but an execution of the right on having beliefs under the Human rights declaration article 19, adherence to them, getting and spreading ideas by journalist, for which Nikol Pashinyan will pay with 7 years of his life,” the statement reads. The verdict aims at filling the journalists with dread towards the professional activities and deepening of censorship, the authors add.

Yesterday, Jan.19, the verdict against oppositional Haykakan Zhamanak daily chief editor Nikol Pashinyan was delivered in the Nork-Marash district court. He was accused of organization of mass unrests and use of force against a policeman.

Pashinyan was acquitted by the court under RA Criminal Code article 316 (use of force against authority), however he was sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment under the 255 article (organization of mass riots).

S.T.