RA Prosecutor General`s Office striving to improve efficiency of  combating corruption

ArmInfo.  The Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia, in collaboration with the investigative bodies, is actively working to improve  the efficiency of combating corruption, as stated by the head of the supervisory body, Anna Vardapetyan, in the National Assembly on May 8.

According to her, one such areas is combating money laundering. In  the past, there was a lack  relevant laws  which hindered the  enforcement of responsibility for this type of crime. However, this   issue  has been resolved, particularly after two standard court  decisions were adopted based on international practice.  These  decisions have made it possible to present money laundering  mechanisms. The supervisory body is currently addressing two  challenges related to financial investigation, which are distinct  from judicial investigations.

 "We have no involvement with bank secrecy, but 90% of all money  laundering cases are directly linked to bank secrecy, and to solve  this issue, efforts are being made to enhance the capacity of  prosecutors through educational programs," Vardapetyan said, pointing  to the first positive results of international cooperation.   Previously, there was a challenge concerning foreign countries not  cooperating with Armenia in providing legal assistance especially  regarding bank accounts or properties of citizens who are accused.  For example, Switzerland, which previously denied any cooperation, is  now sharing information on bank deposits of persons of interest to  Armenian law enforcement agencies. Italy and Greece  have also been  cooperative.  Progress is underway with the United States, leading to  a seizure of property. Negotiations are currently underway to  determine what portion of this property will be returned to Armenia  and what will remain in the United States.