IN WHAT CASES THE LAW PROVIDES FOR WIRETAPPING

Lragir, Armenia
Nov 29 2006

The Armenian government has drafted a bill on police investigations.

The minister of justice Davit Harutiunyan said one of the important
things about the bill is the provision on wiretapping. According to
Davit Harutiunyan, wiretapping is legal in two cases: crimes punished
by imprisonment for five years and up, and when it is impossible to
get information through other ways.

"It is natural that wiretapping must be sanctioned by the court, except
for serious threats, such as terrorism or attack on the nuclear plant,"
said the minister. However, even in these cases it will be necessary to
receive a sanction of court within 48 hours, added Davit Harutiunyan.

According to the bill, the National Security Service is entitled
to wiretapping, and the information is provided to the body which
carries out the investigation. Davit Harutiunyan said the bill has
mechanisms of control over wiretapping. For this reason, according
to the minister, a special section will be established within the
National Security Service, which will have certain independence.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress