YEREVAN. – Asparez club of Gyumri journalists releases a statement condemning arrest of Haykakan Zhamanak (Armenian Times) daily well-known journalist Hayk Gevorgyan and demands his immediate release.

“Police claims that Gevorgyan ran over a citizen on Jan. 13 and fled the scene, hence police has searched him for ten days. However, it is yet unclear, why the police could not get the journalist who had been allegedly wanted for 10 days. Besides, what served base for declaring him wanted, when he worked every day, publishing articles, covering governmental sessions?

We approve concerns of the daily staff regarding the ordered manhunt for the leading journalist in connection to his professional career. In addition, the Asbarez club considers the arrest is false and resemble revenge, aiming to limit freedom of speech in Armenia by threatening the journalists,” the statement reads.

Hayk Gevorgyan was arrested on Friday and transferred to Nubarashen penitentiary.