From 1 to 10 February, 2020, 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, 172 articles were declared, 106 of which were negative, 24 were positive and 42 were neutral.
A great number of negative articles have been published on Yerevan Mayor Hayk Marutyan. According to publications, on February 1, Yerevan Municipality employees received regular bonuses. By the decision of Mayor Hayk Marutyan 22 employees of the municipality were awarded with bonuses. According to the news outlet, the mayor of Yerevan gave a bonus of 65 million 900 AMD for 17 working days of January.
One may find some critical publications in the media on Yerevan transport network. Traffic is said to be dangerous to the health and life of a citizen. The analyst says: “Not only mayor Hayk Marutyan, but also the department dealing with transport, in the person of the acting chief of public transport Edgar Galstyan, is unaware of the situation. Mayor Hayk Marutyan doesn’t seem to be worried about what kind of public transport is being used or under what conditions.
Former head of Davtashen district Ruslan Baghdasaryan, referring to the meeting between kindergarten directors and the head of Shengavit community and the police presence during it, wrote on his Facebook page: “When I say Hayk Marutyan and his submissive onesare in vain authorities. Do you understand how incomplete they must be to fail keeping the teachers under their control and apply the police for help? You do not know how to treat the pedagogues, moreover, you will call a police officer against your parents. Shame on you gentlemen, shame on you!”
According to rumors, Hayk Marutyan’s wife, Iva, is dealing with Hayk Marutyan’s affairs. According to publications, she performs the work of an advisor or assistant to the mayor of Yerevan, negotiates with different people, mediates regarding some appointments, meets with candidates. And, recently, members of the Council of Elders invited Hayk Marutyan to a discussion and raised the specific question that his wife should no longer interfere with the official functions of the mayor. According to one of the publications, Iva and Hayk Marutyan met with Armen Begoyan, head of the Greening and Environmental Protection NGO, and said they do not trust him anymore.
