Armenian Journalist Rejects 'Mistaken Identity’ Explanation

Nver Mnatsakan

A prominent television journalist who was beaten up by unknown assailants has dismissed the police version that the attack was a case of mistaken identity, RFE/RL’s Armenian Service reported.

Nver Mnatsakanian, who anchors news programs and hosts prime-time talk shows on private Shant TV, suffered injuries to his head, foot and hand and required hospital treatment after unknown men attacked him in his neighborhood late on May 6.

Earlier this month, the chief of Armenia’s national police, Alik Sarkisian, described the incident as having been about a girl and said Mnatsakanian had been mistaken for someone else, possibly the girl’s father.

Sarkisian also said two young men had turned themselves in to police and been charged in connection with the case.

However, Mnatsakanian told RFE/RL the “missing identity” explanation was “absurd.”

“It is a little surprising that thugs with shaven heads are chasing girls and then, it turns out, their fathers at midnight. It doesn’t sound like the truth,” Mnatsakanian said.