Armenian opposition journalist released after detention on “incitement” charges

The previously detained journalist of the Armenian opposition media outlet Antifake, David Fidanian, has been released. 

The information was shared on social media by his lawyer, Varazdat Harutyunyan, Caliber.Az reports per Sputnik Armenia.

On November 13, searches were conducted at the outlet’s office following the detention of “Imnemnimi” podcast hosts Vazgen Sagatelyan and Narek Samsonyan, the founder of the outlet. Fidanian was detained later that day on charges related to the podcast episode, which reportedly criticised government policies on the Karabakh conflict and accused officials of ties to former President Serzh Sargsyan. The National Security Service (NSS) cited "incitement to hatred" and "spreading false information" under Armenia's criminal code.

Antifake.am, launched in 2019, positions itself as a fact-checking platform monitoring government statements, media, and public figures for misinformation. It has gained prominence for critiquing Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's administration, particularly on foreign policy and the territorial concessions to Azerbaijan in 2023.

By Khagan Isayev