Which Gifts Received by Officials Will Become State or Community Property

According to amendments made to the "Law on Public Service", new rules have been established regarding the acceptance of gifts. In a statement released by the Ministry of Justice, under current regulations, individuals holding public office and public servants are prohibited from accepting gifts related to their work activities. They are also required to take measures to ensure that their family members do not accept such gifts.

Permissible gifts are only considered those received during state, official, or working visits or events, gifts given within the framework of business trips, or food and hospitality that is usually organized. Additionally, materials provided for official use free of charge, scholarships, and grants are also allowed.

Officials must register permissible gifts in the gift registry if their value exceeds 40,000 AMD or if they have received them periodically from the same source within six months. If an official receives a gift, they must inform the ethics officer of the relevant body, while other individuals holding public office must report to the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption.

According to advisory opinions provided by relevant bodies, if a gift is deemed impermissible, the official is obliged to return the gift or provide equivalent compensation to the donor. If returning the gift or making equivalent compensation is not possible, the gift is surrendered to the state or community.

Gifts given during state or official visits, events, and working trips or business trips, as well as ceremonial gifts from foreign states, international organizations, or other persons, are also surrendered to the state or community if their value exceeds 60,000 AMD.

The amendments to the law came into effect on January 2, 2023, but the regulations regarding the registration of gifts, advice on their permissibility, and the transfer of gifts to state or community property will be enforced once the Commission for the Prevention of Corruption approves the relevant procedures and guidelines for providing advisory opinions.