This Attack is a Litmus Test for the Authorities: Arpine Hovhannisyan Expresses Support for Angela Tovmasyan

Former Vice Speaker of the National Assembly Arpine Hovhannisyan, commenting on the incident that took place today at the "Hayeli Club", wrote on her Facebook page: "I express my support for Angela Tovmasyan in connection with today's attack on the 'Hayeli Club'. For the past year and a half, I have repeatedly stated that if measures are not taken to prevent the spread of hate speech and intolerance towards dissenting opinions, there is a high likelihood that they will penetrate real life from the online domain. Today's attack is evidence of what I have said.

This attack is a litmus test for the authorities, particularly regarding how the state responds to assaults on freedom of speech, regardless of the ruling power's attitude towards a particular media outlet and its representatives. Any failure by the authorities in this regard undermines freedom of speech, democratic values, and ultimately, the rule of law," Hovhannisyan stated.