The following is a letter written by the Association of European Journalists regarding the November 17th assault by as yet unknown perpetrators on Edik Baghdasaryan, Chief Editor of Hetq Online addressed to President Sargsyan of Armenia. The letter condemns the assault as a blatant attack on a leading member of Armenia’s free media and reminds President Sargsyan of Armenia’s obligation, as a member of the Council of Europe, to safeguard the rule of law and press freedom, including the protection of working journalists. Dear President Sargsyan, We write to express our shock and deep concern at the violent assault perpetrated by as yet unidentified assailants against our colleague and fellow member of the AEJ Edik Baghdasaryan, Editor of the "Hetq" online newspaper, in Yerevan last Monday, November 17th, this caused him serious head injuries requiring hospital treatment. As you are aware, Mr. President, this is the latest of a series of unprovoked and horrifying physical attacks against journalists in your country since the start of this year. It is very disturbing to learn that many such attacks against media professionals have taken place, apparently in a coordinated attempt by some person or persons unknown to hinder or stop the work of free and independent reporting: and also that Armenia's police and judicial authorities have routinely failed so far to identify those responsible and bring them to justice swiftly. The AEJ, made up of one thousand journalists working in more than 20 European states, including Armenia, passed a resolution at the Association's plenary meeting in Linz, Austria, on November 22nd, to express the condemnation of all our members for this and similar crimes. We recall that Armenia, as a member state of the Council of Europe, is committed to the rule of law and to media freedom, including proper protection to journalists from such apparently organized and vicious assaults. Any persistent failure by government authorities to take action to stop these attacks and to punish those who carry them out or order them may be seen as a violation of solemn commitments given to the Council of Europe and to other international bodies, as well as of Armenia's national laws. This is a time of strong concern and watchfulness on the part of the AEJ and other international organizations which uphold the fundamental principle of freedom of the media. We ask you to clearly demonstrate your commitment now by taking vigorous steps to protect the personal safety of your country's journalists. Yours Sincerely, William Horsley, AEJ Media Freedom Representative, London Diego Carcedo, AEJ President