Response of the President of the Court of Cassation to the Statements of Investigative Bodies and the Prosecution

The President of the Court of Cassation Ruben Vardazaryan has responded to the statements made by investigative bodies and the prosecution. “The observations I made the day before certainly do not apply to dedicated professionals, investigators, and prosecutors who possess brilliant legal knowledge, principled stances, and high moral characteristics. Moreover, respecting my colleagues, I must state that my general assessments characterize the current situation, which should provide a reason not for feeling offended or 'deeply' hurt, but for drawing necessary conclusions from the existing troubling realities.

No one has the right to underestimate or belittle the burdened work of preliminary investigative, investigative bodies, and the prosecution, which has multiplied several times since 2018, under the conditions of the new reality established in the country. My expressed concerns and raising of shortcomings aim at the objective diagnosis of the problems of the judicial system and the organization of effective work. In interviews, I have equally discussed and highlighted the issues and gaps within the judiciary, providing my assessments, which are also crucial for the public to have a correct and objective understanding.

Regarding your statements, I quote: 'Of course, it is possible that there are investigators in the preliminary investigation bodies whose professional qualities still need improvement,' effectively confirming and sharing my expressed concerns. It is at least illogical to attribute these to all employees of the preliminary investigation bodies under my name.

Throughout my many years of activity in the state-legal system, I have always openly expressed my high appreciation for the dedicated professionals of the judicial system, as well as for the existing shortcomings and neglects, during work and personal interactions with my colleagues. In this context, it is at least unfair to accuse me of targeting systems.

P.S. Dear colleagues from investigative bodies and the prosecution, I urge you to move into the professional sphere, with constructive, public, and effective efforts, to jointly tackle the problems facing the judicial system for the sake of the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people.”