12:01, 22 April 2008

GALA TV Company resumes broadcasting in Armenia

For two days already the GALA TV Company is back on air, and its transmitter is back on the old television tower that belongs to the mayoralty of the city of Gyumri, despite the decisions of the courts of the first instance of Gyumri and of the Appeal Court.

The public formation named "In Defence of the Freedom of Speech and GALA TV Company" has disseminated a statement welcoming this "change in the authorities' behaviour." In particular, that the TV Company is now back on air and continues its normal operation. At the same time, the GALA managers address the city authorities and demand to compensate the damage caused to the TV Company, and, first of all, to return the fine paid by the Company in the sum of almost 27 million drams.

It has become known to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent from oppositional sources that the reason of this change in the position of Gyumri authorities was the unprecedented pressure exerted by the US Embassy, aimed at resuming the GALA broadcasting.

Author: Lilit Ovanisyan, CK correspondent