Zakharova: closing Russian TV channels in Armenia would be a blow to foundations of authorities' political platform

YEREVAN, October 4. /ARKA/. In a comment on rumors that the Armenian authorities may close Russian TV channels Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said such a move would be "a blow to the foundations of the authorities' political platform in Yerevan."

"As far as we all know, the current authorities in Armenia came to power with the slogan 'freedom of speech'.  Everything else was secondary. But the main one - freedom of speech - as a fundamental principle of democracy- works not only in one direction, when only one side can speak. Everyone should have the right to speak and it is also necessary to broadcast it, because these are alternative sources of information," Zakharova said at a press briefing.

'Such a move would be a blow to democracy, to the very foundations that make up the political platform of the current government in Yerevan. To what extent that would meet the official position of Yerevan - one should ask this question the authorities," she said.

Earlier, Lusine Badalyan, an Armenian MP from the pro-government Civil Contract party, said that the issue of disconnecting Russian TV channels in Armenia has been discussed for a long time. According to her, Russian propaganda is carried out through various channels, including through its agents operating inside the country. -0-