Today the case of Gyumri City Hall vs. CHAP LLC (founder of GALA TV) and the counter suit (CHAP LLC vs. Gyumri City Hall) concluded.

The Shirak District Court of First Instance sustained Gyumri City Hall’s suit and required the transmitter antenna and cable on the TV tower belonging to CHAP LLC located at 6/1 V. Sargsyan be dismantled in one month. The court overruled CHAP LLC’s lawsuit against Gyumri City Hall, the demand to establish its right to limited use of the tower.

GALA TV deems the ruling to be obviously biased and unlawful.

“The court ruling once again proved that the authorities’ campaign against independent news outlets continues to gain momentum,” reads the statement issued by the TV station today.

GALA TV notes that it will “continue the fight for freedom of speech and the constitutional right to provide the public with objective information.”

Recall that in 2008, the Shirak District Court of First Instance also issued a similar ruling. The appeals court assumed the position that the city hall’s lawsuit should be sustained; however, the RA Court of Cessation overturned the RA Court of Appeals’ ruling and again sent the case to RA Shirak District Court of First Instance — with a new lineup and a new investigation.