We Have Been Friends with Artur Vanetsyan, Says Ruben Vardazaryan

Yes, we have been friends with Artur Vanetsyan; this friendship started in 1994 when I was not yet a judge, and he was still a student, not an employee of the National Security Service (NSS). Ruben Vardazaryan, the Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, stated this during a meeting with reporters on December 29.

He also referred to the draft law being circulated by the Ministry of Justice, which proposes the creation of a group of judges consisting of 21 judges. According to some interpretations, the government aims to have judges of its choice to review petitions regarding inter-judicial proceedings.

Vardazaryan noted that they have approached the government and requested the addition of 16 new positions to their ranks. “We unequivocally welcome the proposal to add those 21 positions as envisaged by the draft law. Even if 21 new positions are granted, those judges will be selected by the Supreme Judicial Council. Any accusation that a court will be established to carry out the will of the authorities does not correspond to reality. I assure you that this process will be very transparent, and journalists can participate,” he emphasized.

The Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council also added that if an anti-corruption court is established, the judges who specialize in reviewing such proceedings would be automatically transferred to that court.