ANC Vice Chairman urges Prosecutor General to launch criminal case  against RA Prime Minister

ArmInfo. Levon Zurabyan, Vice Chairman of the Armenian National Congress party,  is urging the RA Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan to launch a criminal case against  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan under Article 441 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.

On his Facebook page, Zurabyan recalled Pashinyan's statement from a  briefing on August 28: "No one in the government can take a stance  that contradicts mine. I am the  government. If there are people who  take a stance that contradicts mine, let them write a statement and  leave the building. If not, I will dismiss them myself." Meanwhile,  according to Zurabyan, Article 42 of the RA Constitution provides for  freedom of expression. This article states: "Everyone has the right  to freedom of expression. This right includes the freedom to hold  opinions and to seek, receive and disseminate information and ideas  by any means, without interference from state and local government  bodies." Additionally, the politician noted that Article 11 of the RA  Law "On Government Structure and Activities" specifies that decisions  on legislative initiatives and by-laws of the government are adopted  by a majority vote of the total number of government members through  direct voting. Members of the government participating in the meeting  vote either "for" or "against". 

In case of a tie, the Prime Minister's vote is decisive. Zurabyan  pointed out that Nikol Pashinyan's statement contains elements of an  act outlined in Article 441 of the Criminal Code. "In light of the  apparent crime, I urge the Prosecutor General of the Republic of  Armenia to consider this  message as a report on the alleged crime  and to initiate a criminal case based on the abuse of power, official  authority, or  influence by an official. The misuse of  power,  official authority or influence by  officials to the detriment of  state or official interests, or failure to perform official duties  properly, or the commission of an act beyond their authority  resulting in significant harm to the rights, freedoms or legitimate  interests of an individual or organization,  society, or the state.  This act is punishable by a fine of twenty to forty minimum wages, or  deprivation of the right to hold certain positions or engage in  certain activities for three to seven years, restriction of liberty  for  three years, or arrest for  one to two months, or imprisonment  for  one  to four years," Zurabyan wrote.