A group of journalists have launched a signature petition to protest yesterday’s directive by National Assembly President Samvel Nikoyan to dismiss Gohar Poghosyan as head of the body’s public affairs department.

The journalists argue that during her twenty year stint as a parliament employee, Poghosyan has always exhibited high professional standards and possesses an enviable track record.

In their petition, the journalists state that Poghosyan has never shown any political discrimination when dealing with Armenia’s diverse media outlets.

Nikoyan has said that the dismissmal is due to the fact that Poghosyan was absent for two days after the holiday vacation.