ArmInfo. Professionalism of law enforcement agencies in the implementation of the fight against corruption and criminal authorities inspires fears. This opinion was expressed in an interview with Radio Echo of the Caucasus by a lawyer, a member of the Armenian Chamber of Lawyers, David Sanduhchyan, against the background of a bill submitted to the government designed to toughen measures to combat crime.
According to the lawyer, the reason for such an initiative was the fact that the criminal authorities felt quite at ease before the change of power, as well as the fact that the current leadership came to power with slogans suggesting the neutralization of criminal clans and communities.
Speaking about anti-corruption initiatives, the expert stated that the attempt to make the business transparent in Armenia is directed more towards the criminal subculture.
<I think for corruption it is not that. There are other initiatives for corruption that they are also trying to implement - more transparent tax reporting for civil servants, trying to make business transparent. I think, most likely, this is a slightly different direction, "the lawyer said, noting that the wave of fighting lawlessness is more like fighting a criminal subculture. Sanduchchyan is also considering the possibility that the Armenian authorities plan to adopt the reformist experience of the former Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili, including an article providing for imprisonment for a term of five to eight years only for belonging to the "thieves world", and for status kingpin> gives <right> to ten years in prison. <Obviously, the criminal world in Georgia has become more modest - even on trips it can be seen, in relation to and according to the stories of colleagues too. Will it work in Armenia or not? Well, the law still needs to be effectively implemented - there is a lot to do. I am not very familiar with the practice of applying this particular criminal article in Georgia, but under certain conditions, I think, even the usual tightening of the law will already lead to some positive results, "the lawyer is sure.
Sanduhchyan also expressed concern about the lack of a witness protection program, which is a prerequisite for combating crime and corruption. <This is a key point, because especially in Armenia and Georgia - countries are relatively small compared to the United States, where everyone knows everything and mutual responsibility, - this is one of the factors and one of the reasons for the formation of a criminal culture> - he stressed.
According to a member of the Chamber of Advocates of Armenia, such initiatives and any struggle for legality against such negative phenomena as organized crime and systemic corruption imply a serious reform of the legal system, including the judicial one.
"Judicial reform is a priority for the new authorities, and the Prime Minister has repeatedly spoken about this. We know the reaction of Pashinyan to the decision of the courts in some noisy cases, we know that he even called on his supporters to carry out an action to block the courts. We also know that there are relevant orders about attempts to reform the judicial system, as well as the use of world-famous methods of combating lawlessness in the justice system itself, including the so-called procedure. Wetting Apparently, the change of the Minister of Justice is also somehow connected with this, "said the source.
The lawyer called it necessary to carry out serious reforms in the law enforcement system, in particular, on retraining, replenishment with more mature and professional cadres, noting that the current system is aimed at retaining political power.
"Our national security has suddenly become a very active structure, and it deals with almost everything, including very minor crimes. But at the same time, we know that there were "wiretapping" of telephone conversations between the head of National Security and the head of the Investigative Committee, between the Prime Minister and the head of the National Security Service, which, in general, indicates that the problem is probably in the system if such wiretaps can be implemented. Probably, this adds a little optimism in the sense that I would like to believe in the ability of law enforcement agencies to carry out this struggle, but in general, to be honest, their professionalism inspires some fears, "concluded Sanduchchyan.