The National Security Service on the Search of a Lawyer’s Office

The National Security Service of Armenia has issued a statement addressing concerns and comments regarding the search conducted at a lawyer's office yesterday.

“In light of the public interest arising from the information published in the mass media, and to prevent the spread of unverified information and, in some cases, misinformation, the NSS finds it necessary to inform that in the framework of an ongoing criminal case investigating an apparent serious crime within the NSS investigative department, and being obliged to ensure comprehensive, objective, and complete examination of the circumstances of the case, while at the same time respecting the activities of the lawyer and maintaining the legal requirements for preserving attorney-client confidentiality, the investigative body, pursuant to a court permit, planned to conduct a search at the office of one of the lawyers of the Chamber of Advocates of the Republic of Armenia on November 25, 2019. This operation was in no way related to the lawyer's professional activities, as it was directly aimed at identifying the instruments and means of the crime.

Emphasizing the role and importance of the institution of advocacy in the protection of human rights in the Republic of Armenia, the NSS urges to refrain from various speculations and to raise and resolve legal issues solely within a legal framework. Moreover, it is worth reminding that the lawyer's license is not a guarantee of impunity, and any form of interference with the investigative actions of the investigator with the aim of obstructing the examination of the criminal case, even under the pretext of defending professional activity, creates responsibility under the relevant article of the RA Criminal Code.

Note: A person suspected or accused of a crime is considered innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedures established by the RA Criminal Procedure Code, by a legally effective court ruling,” the statement reads.