ANY BREACH OF LAW IN ELECTION CAMPAIGN PERIOD TO BE STOPPED

Russia & CIS Presidential Bulletin
February 4, 2008

Any breach of law in the election campaign period will be stopped
firmly, President Robert Kocharian said while touring a new building
of the Defense Ministry in Yerevan.

Everyone must know that the Criminal Code is not ‘frozen’ for the
period of the election campaign. On the contrary, law enforcement
agencies must be stricter and prevent additional problems that may
be caused by electoral passions, he said.

As for the car race in downtown Yerevan initiated by the ex-
president’s supporters, Kocharian said, traffic rules are compulsory
for everyone.

The incident on the junction of the Bagramian Avenue and Demirchian
Street happened right before my eyes. It was an impudent act and I
think that governmental agencies must prevent acts of the kind and
the culprits must be punished, Kocharian said.

The police have opened a hotline, and the Prosecutor General’s Office
has formed a special working group, the president said.

They will inform the public how a particular incident is being
investigated, he said.

I call on everyone to abstain from provocative acts. You should not
respond to provocative acts either. The organizers of rallies are
responsible for their compliance with the law. No one must forget
about that, Kocharian said.

Armenia will elect the president on February 19. The Central Elections
Commission has registered nine candidates, including Prime Minister
Serzh Sargsyan, first Armenian President Levon Ter-Petrossian,
Vice-Speaker Vaan Ovannisian and former Prime Minister Vagen Manukian.