Investigators identify a man suspected of threatening editor-in-chief of "Medialab.am"

Reserve officer Hayk Oganyan is involved as a suspect in the case of threats against Armenian caricaturists.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on February 2, Marianna Grigoryan, the editor-in-chief and the director of the news portal "Medialab.am", complained of receiving threats after the publication of a caricature of Vigen Sargsyan, Armenian Minister of Defence. In particular, a Facebook user unambiguously hinted at the fate of the French satirical weekly Charlie Hebdo.

The editor-in-chief told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that on February 15, investigators arranged a confrontation with Facebook user Hayk Oganyan, who, according to the investigators, threatened her and her family members. "However, I am not entitled to disclose the details, since I have signed a letter on non-disclosure of information about the preliminary investigation," Marianna Grigoryan said.

On February 16, the Armenian editors' office of Radio Liberty published an interview with Hayk Oganyan, during which he stated there were no threats against the journalist and her family members. According to Hayk Oganyan, his indignation was provoked by a caricature of a soldier with one foot. "A comparison with the Charlie Hebdo was made to explain what the humiliation of a soldier could lead to," Hayk Oganyan noted.

In turn, his advocate stated his client's willingness to apologize to the editor-in-chief of the media resource for insult.

Marianna Grigoryan claims that in his comments under the cartoon and in personal correspondence, Hayk Oganyan threatened her and her young daughter. Meanwhile, the journalist rejects the claim that published cartoons can be regarded as a mockery of soldiers.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.