Dine Condemns Murder of Armenian Journalist

(Washington, DC December 28, 2002) RFE/RL President Thomas A. Dine expressed his dismay today at the death of Tigran Naghdalian, prominent Armenian journalist, who was killed in Yerevan on December 28, 2002.

President Dine’s statement follows:

I am shocked and appalled by the murder of Tigran Naghdalian, our former colleague and a talented Armenian journalist. Mr. Naghdalian worked for RFE/RL’s Armenian Service from 1995-1997. One of the outstanding reporters in our Yerevan bureau, he extensively covered major political developments in Armenia, notably the parliamentary and presidential elections of 1995 and 1996.

Unfortunately, violence against journalists remains commonplace in many of the countries to which we broadcast. Many of our colleagues there risk their lives while working tirelessly to advance the cause of human rights, freedom of speech and democracy. With the murder of Tigran Naghdalian, the Armenian journalistic community suffered its first serious casualty in the history of independent Armenia. I offer my sympathy and condolences to the family of Mr. Naghdalian and his colleagues at Armenian Public Television and Radio.