ArmInfo. It is planned to introduce "smart" city mechanisms in Armenia, according to which large economic entities and companies will have to install external surveillance cameras. At the meeting on June 7, the RA National Assembly Standing Committee on Defense and Security gave a positive conclusion regarding the changes presented by the RA government in the Law "On Police" and the package of related laws.
As Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan noted in her speech, very often the police are guided by data obtained from CCTV cameras when investigating crimes. However, such devices are not available everywhere, and for this reason, it is proposed to expand the video surveillance zones to prevent crimes, which are used in many countries around the world. In particular, this concerns the installation of video surveillance cameras in the buildings of banks, credit institutions, pawnshops, currency exchange offices, post offices, public electronic services buildings, educational institutions, as well as retail facilities with an area of over 100 square meters, liquefied gas filling stations and retail facilities with an area of over 50 square meters. Similar devices will have to be used in ambulances, buses and minibuses that carry out regular transportation. The package provides for the installation of cameras in underground parking lots as well. The Deputy Minister noted that a state non-profit organization being established within the Ministry of Internal Affairs will monitor the cameras around the clock. Harutyunyan tried to dispel fears that the Ministry of Internal Affairs wants to establish total control over everything that happens in Armenia. The purpose of the presented document is to prevent crimes, and if they are committed, to carry out effective operational and investigative actions. In this regard, the National Assembly member from the "Armenia" opposition faction Gegham Manukyan recalled that the Agency for the Protection of Personal Data of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia had concerns about the possible consequences of the adoption of the document. For example, as the oppositionist mentioned, anyone can obtain citizens' data and that is why the European Union countries refused to use that system. The Secretary General of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Ara Fidanyan responded to the MP's remark, noting that many entities support the proposed initiative. But if there is a leak of information, the agency is ready to bear the appropriate responsibility.