Life Imprisonment for State Betrayal: Bill Approved in First Reading

The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia has approved in the first reading a bill to amend the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, proposing to intensify the penalties for state betrayal.

According to Armenpress, the bill was authored by MPs Vahe Enfiajyan, Naira Zohrabyan, and Iveta Tonoyan from the Prosperous Armenia faction.

“Crossing over to the enemy's side, handing over state secrets to a foreign state or foreign organizations or their representatives, providing assistance in conducting hostile activities, as well as handing over information containing state secrets to foreign organizations or their representatives, collecting, stealing or keeping them with the purpose of handing them over, providing other information at the behest of foreign intelligence agencies, among other cases, that is, for state betrayal, should be subject to the highest punishment: life imprisonment with confiscation of property,” stated National Assembly Vice President Vahe Enfiajyan.

He noted that the crime against the Republic of Armenia and the Armenian people is the heaviest, and naturally, the most serious crime should carry the most serious punishment.

The bill was approved in the first reading with 109 votes in favor, 1 against, and 2 abstentions.