“Aravot” daily’s reporter Aram Zaqaryan, who is responsible for covering information about Armenian communities and Diaspora, sent a request to Shirak Marz Governor Lida Nanyan on 19.08.09 via e-mail address marzpetaran@shirak.region.am, asking to provide information.
“Dear Mrs. Nanyan, it’s common knowledge that since 2005 Armenian communities are granted finances by RA state budget excluding community’s expenses, other grants from budget. In 2005, 2006, 2007 each community was granted 10 million AMD, and 2008 and 2009 – 20 million. Be so kind to answer the questions:
1. What purpose did they serve each year?
2. Provide, please, the information in details – how many decisions have been made each year? How much was spent by each decision?”
The request wasn’t answered. The reporter applied to FOICA asking to support him to recover his violated right of access to information through a court procedure. On 01.12.09 FOICA and “Aravot” daily jointly applied to administrative court of Armenia to recognize Shirak governor’s inactions illegal, and to oblige the official to provide information and to subject to an administrative fine.
During the trial the representative of the respondent stated that they had not received a request for technical reasons. The representative of Shirak Marz Governor expressed readiness to provide the whole requested information, Thus, the parties of the trial decided to sign a peace agreement.
On June 1, 2010, the RA Administrative Court published its decision over the case FOICA and “Aravot” daily vs. Shirak Marz Governor. FOICA and “Aravot” daily decided to sign a peace agreement with Shirak Marz Governor.