Badakyan: There is a Case Related to March 1 Still Under Investigation

The Minister of Justice cannot answer questions related to specific criminal cases. This is absolutely beyond my authority. This was stated by Justice Minister Rustam Badakyan during a conversation with journalists, addressing the court's decision to halt criminal prosecution against the second President of Armenia and others under Article 300.1.

"I feel great pain regarding the processes that have occurred. If I am not mistaken, there is a case related to the investigation of the March 1 events that is still ongoing. One must approach the responsible parties and obtain appropriate comments," said Rustam Badakyan.

The minister noted that there is a judicial decision, and the prosecutor's office must decide whether that act is subject to appeal or not. Rustam Badakyan stated that he cannot comment on the actions of the court, the prosecutor's office, or other bodies.

In response to the observation that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan urged the Special Investigation Service to uncover the March 1 case after assuming office, and that this case also had political objectives for them, Rustam Badakyan remarked that the political objective has been both the uncovering of the events that took place and the judicial reforms, as well as the establishment of an independent judiciary.

"I think there was at least a public perception that we have shown a certain sluggishness in these areas, and that we have not taken certain actions. I would not want to make excuses because it is absolutely important that whatever arguments are made, it is clear that we have successes in this field that are at the institutional level and are not visible to the public. For every specific process, there is a responsible party and it is not possible to expect an answer to all questions from political authorities. However, I believe that in relations with the public we should be honest and acknowledge that in certain matters we have failures," said the minister.