Criminal Prosecution Occurs Under Political Intervention and Control: LHK Statement

The statement from the governing council of the "Bright Armenia" party reads:

"On June 14, we learned through the media that the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia was conducting a search at the residence of Gagik Tsarukyan, the head of the 'Prosperous Armenia' faction in the National Assembly of RA. Subsequently, the NSS issued three official statements, announcing that criminal cases had been initiated in connection with three separate incidents, after which Gagik Tsarukyan was summoned for questioning in connection with the mentioned cases.

During this time, many citizens and members of the Prosperous Armenia faction spontaneously gathered in front of the main building of the NSS. The RA Police, using excessive force, detained 252 people (administrative arrests), during which they exhibited disrespectful behavior towards citizens and lawmakers.

"Bright Armenia" reiterates that individuals who commit crimes must face criminal prosecution and be punished in accordance with the laws of the Republic of Armenia. At the same time, we strongly condemn the political influence and control over any criminal prosecution while remaining committed to the values of a rule of law state and the principle of the supremacy of law.

Everyone who violates the law must bear responsibility with the full severity of the legislation; however, the use of legal processes, as well as the use of blackmail and compromising materials as a political tool to silence and repress opponents, is unacceptable and condemnable. Political influence over law enforcement agencies undermines the legitimacy of criminal prosecution.

Simultaneously, representatives of the ruling political power, including lawmakers and ministers, were disseminating evidence containing apparent pre-investigation secrets on social networks. Moreover, these officials made statements in clear violation of the presumption of innocence.

It is indicative that criminal cases were initiated on the same day for different incidents, and the same individual was summoned for questioning under the same cases. This clearly demonstrates that the criminal prosecution occurs under political intervention and control.

This already confirms the evident lack of integrity in the governing political force when implementing state policy and the following of double standards, which is manifested in compromising political practices and selective application of the law.

The "Bright Armenia" party strongly condemns conducting criminal prosecutions based on political expediency and the selective application of the law. We call on the authorities to focus on combating the pandemic and managing the deteriorating socio-economic situation, leaving criminal prosecutions solely to law enforcement agencies."