A Yerevan court has prohibited the distribution and viewing of “Our Road to Independence,” a documentary concerning Armenia’s Declaration of Independence, directed by Tigran Paskevichyan. The Public TV holds the film’s rights and has not broadcast or published it since its 2020 production. The ruling, issued on March 27th following a June 2025 lawsuit, recognized Public TV’s exclusive ownership, preventing Paskevichyan from any use, including public screenings.
The court ordered Paskevichyan to pay ֏40,000 ($100) to compensate the state for initial proceedings. The dispute centers around Paskevichyan’s May 2025 screening without Public TV permission. The two-episode documentary was created for Armenia’s 30th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, adopted on August 23, 1990.
Paskevichyan’s company signed a contract in July 2020, delivering the film in November of that year, transferring ownership in exchange for ֏4,240,000 ($11,000). Paskevichyan argued he’d attempted to discuss the film’s status with the Public TV director, but a March 2023 letter requesting discussion remained unanswered. He cited the difficult circumstances surrounding the Second Nagorno-Karabakh War and the nation’s emotional state when proposing a delayed debut.
Following June 2021 snap elections, the Public TV never aired or uploaded the film despite numerous opportunities. Paskevichyan accused the channel of “locking away” the documentary for four and a half years, expressing frustration with the perceived lack of support for Armenian history and achievements. He referenced previous difficulties with his documentary, “Armenia’s Lost Spring,” which was eventually broadcast by the Public TV.
The court ruling comes amidst ongoing debates regarding references to the Declaration of Independence within Armenia’s constitution, particularly concerning territorial claims. Azerbaijani officials have repeatedly demanded changes. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently stated the Declaration implies the “Republic of Armenia cannot exist.” Despite the court’s decision, Paskevichyan intends to continue screening the film in alternative formats.
The journalist Arshaluys Barseghyan, specializing in open-source investigations and the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, continues to follow this developing story.
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