ArmInfo.The government of Armenia on August 2 at a meeting of the Cabinet established the procedure for the return of gifts received by judges to the state, considered unacceptable.
As the Minister of Justice of Armenia Artak Zeynalyan stated, according to the current legislation, if the gifts are received by judges not considered to be admissible, they must return it to the state within a statutory period (within 7 days) or pay commensurate compensation. In the event that it is impossible to return the gift or payment of appropriate compensation within the statutory period of the gift, it shall be returned to the state in the person of the State Revenue Committee of Armenia.
According to the head of the Ministry of Justice, a gift received as a result of interpersonal relations and not conditioned by the position held by a post is considered acceptable (judges, ed.). In addition, the value of the once-presented gift cannot exceed 100 thousand drams, and within a year - not more than 400 thousand drams. A gift whose value exceeds these criteria must be returned to the state.
Return of gifts is carried out on the basis of the gift agreement. Expenses related to the return of the gift are made at the expense of the state budget. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan noted that it is necessary to take steps to inform citizens about these issues so that the society, in particular civil servants, knew that there is a similar law that tabs on the presentation and receipt of such presents. "I think that certain measures should be taken to inform and the object of information should be not only officials, but also society, so that the rules of the game are clear and understandable to everyone, so as not to force the judge to accept unacceptable gifts," said Nikol Pashinyan.