WE ARE FOR UNBIASED EVALUATION IN ANY CASE
Norair Hovsepian

Azat Artsakh Daily, Republic of Nagorno Karabakh [NKR]
10 April 07

On April 4 Prosecutor General Armen Zalinian held a news conference
to sum up the work of the Office of Prosecutor General in 2006. The
Prosecutor General began with information on the state of crime
in the country. Namely he said 513 offenses were reported in 2006
against 538 in 2005. In the regions, the rate of crime went down,
but in Martuni, Shushi and Shahumian the rate of crime went up. Armen
Zalinian also informed that in 2006 the Office or Prosecutor General
enforced repayment of government loans, 105 929 381 drams were repaid
to the state budget, as well as 24 million drams for the rent of
land. He assured that the target was not minor borrowers. "It is
impossible to collect 133 million from minor borrowers. The Office
of Prosecutor General mainly focused on major borrowers who did not
repay the loan for years on." The prosecutor general touched upon the
recent mutual accusations of the City Hall and the Office of Prosecutor
General. Mr. Zalinian said the statement of the Office of Prosecutor
General released on March 3 answered all the questions. As to the
explanations in the media, those were meant to prevent misunderstanding
among people rather than to answer Mayor Edward Aghabekian. "The
impression is that with such behavior the mayor is trying to prevent
the Office of Prosecutor General from revealing illegal actions,"
said the Prosecutor General, adding that the Office has checked
different government agencies and offices on reports from people,
charges were brought, but only the City Hall opposed.

The news reporters raised the "cadastre case", "doctors case" as
well. The prosecutor general assured that they treat any sphere,
especially health workers with respect. However, once you transgress,
you are responsible. The recent scandal involved the director of
Artsakhkap, who was charged with embezzlement and forgery. In the
end, the prosecutor general said the Office of Prosecutor General is
ready to cooperate with the media and expects unbiased evaluation in
any case.