Journalist who exposed use of administrative resources comes under authorities’ scrutiny

Narek Khachatryan, a NEWS. am journalist who documented numerous violations by the ruling force during the election campaign and on election day, received a summons to participate in military exercises the very next day.

His most recent high-profile piece was a video from Sotk, in which he filmed hundreds of servicemen arriving to vote in the final minutes, as well as unidentified individuals in civilian clothing inside the polling station. Following the video’s publication, the Ministry of Defense contacted the editorial office, claiming that the journalist had allegedly obstructed the work of the commission chair.

Several hours later, Khachatryan was summoned to the military enlistment office and received notification of 25-day military exercises. He had previously also covered the use of schools and teachers in the ruling party’s campaign activities, reporting that generated significant public outcry and led to the resignation of several school principals.

The NEWS. am editorial team emphasizes that the journalist has completed his mandatory military service and is prepared to fulfill his duty, but considers the use of military exercises as a tool of pressure against those who document violations to be deeply troubling.