Sara Petrosyan, an investigative journalist, told www.aravot.am that Kovalenko Shahgaldyan, the governor of Kotayk, summoned a journalist living in Charentsavan to his office and gave her hell, because she had published some sensational information on the governor’s shady businesses during his work. As a result of threats, the journalist was compelled to leave her job. www.aravot.am inquired of the governor whether it wouldn’t suffer the same fate, if it asked a few questions. Kovalenko Shahgaldyan assured in response, “I have very warm, friendly, working relations with journalists. I have never cursed any journalist. I will curse one, only if s/he tries to violate my dignity. There has been no such case. I have been a governor for 12 years, I had a favorable attitude toward all journalists, if they behaved appropriately, were in their element and didn’t go beyond their duty.” In response to our observation that we thought that he cursed and sent them on their way as General Manvel did, he said, “You are comparing me with another person, am I like him? Yes, I am very demanding. I tell the journalist who wants to talk to me that s/he must publish what I say
without unserious comments. Otherwise, I am ruder and more demanding, I don’t tolerate people who speak with implications or distort.”
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
