Vahe and Vigen Badalyan have initiated legal proceedings against the news outlet 1in.am following the publication of an article titled “Behind the Gaming Trillions: Armenia’s Unaccounted Poverty.” The article explores the iGaming industry in Armenia, detailing the financial performance of various companies and their tax contributions. However, the Badalyan brothers argue that the article includes subjective assessments lacking substantiated evidence, which could mislead readers regarding their involvement in the issues discussed.

A significant point of contention is the placement of a photograph of the Badalyan brothers directly beneath the headline of the article. The brothers contend that this visual association implies a direct connection to the article's content, which they argue is defamatory and harmful to their business reputation. They assert that such representation exceeds acceptable limits of freedom of expression and violates journalistic ethics, potentially leading readers to erroneously link them to the negative implications of the article.S1S2

After formally requesting a retraction from 1in.am, which was denied, the Badalyan brothers have decided to seek legal redress. They are pursuing a retraction and compensation for the reputational damage they claim to have suffered, seeking the maximum allowable amount of AMD 12 million. This case underscores ongoing tensions in media representation and the legal protections available to individuals against defamation in Armenia's evolving media landscape.S1S2