Armenia`s authorities will decriminalize "great insult"

ARMINFO

Armenia –

Naira Badalian

ArmInfo. Armenia's authorities will decriminalize "great insult," Minister of Justice Karen Andreasyan wrote in a Facebook message.

At a discussion chaired by Armenia's premier, representatives of government agencies decided to abolish criminal responsibility for great insult, with only administrative responsibility.

"The Criminal Code that will be enforced on July 1, 2022, will not impose punishment for great insult," he wrote. Mr Andreasyan adds that the criminal responsibility was prescribed by the law to "prevent outrageous and inadmissible behavior of individuals and groups amid profound social polarization."

"The government considers inadvisable to include an article on great insult in the new Criminal Code and prefers the civil liability norms in effect," the minister added.

However, it does not mean derogatory remarks about people will not be punished. Those abusing the freedom of speech will be fined up to AMD 3mln.

Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS