At an event held at the “Ourbat Club” today, Mr. Edward Sharmazanov, the press spokesperson of Armenia’s Republican Party stated that, “Those infringements directed against freedom of speech, freedom of the press and democratic values must be punished.” The Republican Party is the dominant force in the present coalition government in Armenia. Mr. Sharmazanov’s statement alluded to yesterday’s assault on Edik Baghdasaryan a leading investigative journalist in Armenia and Chief Editor of “Hetq Online”. The Republican Party spokesperson refrained from commenting on possible motives for the attack but noted that if was because of the professional work carried out by Mr. Baghdasaryan it must be condemned.