ArmInfo. Criminal liability for calls for violence has been introduced in Armenia The RA National Assembly at the plenary meeting on April 15 in the second and final reading amended the package of amendments to the Criminal Code and the Code of Criminal Procedure.
According to the Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, Srbuhy Galyan, currently only punishment for public appeals is provided in Armenia to certain illegal actions, their excuse or agitation. However, the current standards are insufficient to protect life, health, personal freedom, sexual integrity and freedom in terms of guaranteeing. The package proposes to criminalize calls for violence, its justification or campaigning on the basis of sex, race, color, ethnic or social origin, genetic characteristics, language, religion, worldview, political or other views, belonging to national minorities, property status, birth, disability, age or other social and personal reasons. The draft indicates that a citizen or persons who have publicly issued calls for violence will be punished with a fine of 50 or 100 thousand drams, or arrest for up to two months, or imprisonment for up to one year.
In case of similar actions by a group of persons by prior conspiracy, or by an organized group, or in case of abuse of official position, a fine of 100-300 thousand drams, or arrest from 1 to 3 months, or deprivation of freedom will be applied for a period of 1 to 3 years with the deprivation of the right to occupy certain positions or engage in certain activities for a period of 1 to 3 years.