23:43, 4 June 2016

In Sochi, FSB agents prevent "HBO" TV Channel from interviewing Mardiros Demerchyan

In Sochi, five FSB agents came to the house of Mardiros Demerchyan when the crew of the US "HBO" TV Channel tried to interview him. The FSB agents warned them that the crew was in the border zone and did not have permission for shooting. This was told to the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent by Mardiros Demerchyan.

On June 12, 2013, Mardiros Demerchyan was detained in Sochi on suspicion of theft of building materials from an Olympic venue. According to the builder, at the police station, he was subjected to beatings and torture. Investigators refused to institute criminal proceedings on the Mardiros Demerchyan's complaint, and he was accused of false denunciation.

Advocate Alexander Boichenko treats the actions of the FSB agents as unlawful, since "there are no border checkpoints or special signs in the village of Vesyoloe-Psou or in Peace Street that would inform people about entering an area with special pass control".

According to Alexander Boichenko, the actions of the FSB agents violate the constitutional rights of Mardiros Demerchyan on freedom of expression and opinion and inviolability of home.

"Mardiros Demerchyan was at home, and he was interviewed. That is his right. Judging by the fact that the crew of the US 'HBO' TV Channel got visas for stay in Sochi, they legally stayed there. Citizens of any country who legally stay in the territory of the Russian Federation have every right to visit citizens with their permission and to interview them," noted the advocate.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.

Author: Svetlana Kravchenko

Source: CK correspondent