They caused 15 million dollars in damage
According to Tigran Karapetyan, the Armenian authorities caused him 15 million dollars in damage by depriving ALM TV of airtime. "I brought 15 million dollars with me when I came here from Russia. Today they are taking that away from me. I will lose all of my investments. I have 13 stations in Yerevan and 12 provinces. Nobody will need them anymore since television is making the transition to digitization. It turns out that the country is causing damage worth 15 million dollars," said Karapetyan.
Tigran Karapetyan was competing with Yerevan TV, which was recognized as the winner by the National Commission on Television and Radio.
"I have videotaped the process. Ours was a clear victory. ALM has made a 600,000 dollar investment compared to Yerevan's 400,000. We have 82 employees, they have 42. We have a building and they don't. But Mr. Amalyan says Yerevan TV has property in the Press building. Everyone knows that nothing is privatized in that building. We are no less than Yerevan TV," Mr. Karapetyan told "A1+" today.
The head of ALM TV is sure that this was not the NCTR's decision. "This was a political decision. On the one hand, it disappointed me and on the other hand, it made me happy. I am happy because the authorities realize that I have a reputation, a voice and that the people believe in me."
He regrets that pluralism and democracy are denied by the current authorities.
Tigran Karapetyan also claimed that the Armenian authorities, particularly the Prime Minister's policy, are leading the country to destruction. Karapetyan said he is planning to dispute the NCTR's decision and is sure that he will win at the European Court.
President of the ALM TV, leader of the People's Party Tigran Karapetyan deemed it necessary to announce that he is going to participate in the parliamentary and presidential elections. He also deemed it necessary to warn the authorities that he is still going to be on air and will fight for the people.
ALM will remain on air until January 20.
