Karen Andreasyan Talks About Regional Activity While Closing Court Doors: "Zhoghovurd"

"Zhoghourd" newspaper reports: "Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council, Karen Andreasyan, has been making various posts in recent days, titled 'A Good Thing.' Specifically, yesterday he wrote: 'A Good Thing #4. Life has become much more active in Armenia beyond Yerevan as well. I have recently been often in regional courts and have seen improved streets and parks in many of our communities, renovated educational institutions and hospitals, newly opened guesthouses and businesses.'

It is surprising that the head of the Supreme Judicial Council speaks of regional activity outside of Yerevan while personally closing the doors of regional courts and displaying a working style contrary to this activity. Many citizens complain about how the doors of courts are closing in the regions, forcing them to travel hundreds of kilometers from their residences to reach a court.

The Judicial Department officially states that a decision has been made regarding the closure of nine court locations from the 51 functioning courts across Armenia, following discussions within the Judicial Department (in Ashotzk, Tashir, Talin, Artik, Martuni, Vedi, Yeghyankhadzor, Sisian, and Meghri). In Ashotzk and Meghri, there has not been a permanently stationed judge for a long time, but utility and maintenance costs have been incurred for these court buildings, and judicial staff have received salaries from the state budget while being partially or fully idle.

This decision will save the state approximately 200 million AMD annually. The question arises: who is to blame for judicial system employees being idle yet receiving salaries, and for the absence of judges in Ashotzk and Meghri? Naturally, it is the responsible officials in the judicial system, namely the chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council. Now it appears that the state is saving money, while the citizens are suffering. Furthermore, employees and judges from the closed courts insist otherwise; they state that they have been working like their counterparts in other courts and handled equal cases. Our investigation continues, and we will soon address the real reasons behind the closure of the courts."