ACCORDING TO OPPOSITION MP, ADOPTION OF BILL ON "SPECIAL INVESTIGATION SERVICE" WILL HAVE VERY BAD CONSEQUENCES

Noyan Tapan
Nov 5, 2007

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 5, NOYAN TAPAN. The National Assembly of the
Republic of Armenia finished the discussion of the bill on "Special
Investigation Service" by the first reading in the November 5 special
sitting. The ballot of the bill was postponed for a more suitable
moment.

The Orinats Yerkir (Country of Law) and Zharangutiun (Heritage)
factions declared that the bill of the government is inadmissible
for them from the political and legal point of view. Styopa Safarian,
the Secretary of the Zharangutiun (Heritage) faction, also called to
his "associates for refusing to adopt the bill, since it will have
very bad consequences in terms of the RA judicial-legal practice,
as it contains all the possibilities for turning this body into an
instrument of political blackmail." "The activities currently being
implemented" with regard to Khachik Sukiasian, an independent MP of
the National Assembly, were mentioned as an example in the speeches of
some opposition figures. The above-mentioned activities, in essence,
"resemble political pursuits".

It should be mentioned that Khachik Sukiasian has made a public
speech with the intention of supporting Levon Ter-Petrosian, the first
President of the Republic of Armenia, in the presidential elections,
which has been followed by large-scale chackings in the "Sil" concern
founded by him.

It should also be mentioned that according to this bill it is offered
to create an investigation body, which will conduct the preliminary
investigation on criminal cases in connection with the crimes committed
by high-ranking officials themselves or by the latters as accessories,
as well as in connection with electoral processes.

According to the bill, the President of the Republic of Armenia is
entitled to appoint the post of the head of the service and relieve
it with the presentation of the Prosecutor General. The supervision
over the legality of the preliminary investigation conducted by the
Special Investigation Service will be implemented by the RA Prosecutor
General and the prosecutors empowered by him. The head of the Service
will present a report on the activities of the previous year to the
National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia and to the President of
the Republic every year.

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress