From 11 to 30 September, 2019, the “Media Advocate” initiative followed online media reports on the mayor of Yerevan, Hayk Marutyan’s personality and activities.
35 leading Armenian news agencies have been monitored.
In the specified period, 328 articles were declared, 140 of which were negative, 21 were positive and 167 were neutral.
Mayor Hayk Marutyan fails to get rid of negative articles. The confrontation between Hayk Marutyan and Sanitek still continues. This time, Sanitek issued a statement saying Hayk Marutyan is the responsible for the 5.3 billion AMD loss. “It is noteworthy that the loss of 1.607.721.900 AMD is the sum of equipment and garbage bins purchased by Yerevan Municipality in 2019. At the time of signing of the 2019 annual agreement, Mayor Hayk Marutyan did not demand a guarantee from a bank or credit organization for that year. Therefore, even if it is justified that the sum is a loss and not an unjustified expense by the mayor, Mayor Hayk Marutyan is the responsible for it.”
“Alternative Projects Group” Member Marine Sukiasyan noted that Hayk Marutyan received more than 80 percent of the vote due to Nikol Pashinyan’s call. She notes that Hayk Marutyan is the mayor of the prime minister who actually failed in his mission. She writes: “If household waste remains on the streets and people, themselves see it every minute, then the situation of the garbage in state system will appear to be much more painful and far more dangerous.” Former Member of Yerevan Council of Elders, Sona Aghekyan noted that Nikol Pashinyan had forced people to vote for Kargin Hayko.
Davit Khazhakyan, Member of Yerevan Council of Elders, initiated amendments to the RA Law on Local Self-Government in Yerevan but the draft consisting from 10 points, was rejected. After it, Davit Khazhakyan noted that Hayk Marutyan has adapted to Taron Margaryan’s “suit”.
According to news outlets, one of Hayk Marutyan’s orders was illegal. According to the statement, in November 2018, that is two months after Hayk Marutyan became mayor of Yerevan, the municipality demolished the building of “Ani-97” company located on Gyurjyan street N 1/3 in Nor Nork administrative district. It was officially announced that it has been built without a permit. The company has filed a lawsuit and won the case, and at the moment, according to the plaintiff, the company may also demand compensation from the municipality.
Publications where the media outlets and citizens mentioned that they noticed a positive dynamic in the garbage disposal sector were assessed as positive. The article, according to which Yerevan’s representation in the declared military exercises was unprecedentedly active was also positively assessed.
