JHANGIRYAN’S OPINION IS OUT OF ETHICS

As reported earlier the sessions of the prosecutor’s office are full of topics for reporters. On February 2, the representatives of the prosecutor’s office complained about the courts and Judicial Acts Compulsory Execution (DAHK) services. Aram Tamazyan, deputy prosecutor general said “DAHKs are trying to get out of control of the prosecutor’s office.” Gagik Jhangiryan, another deputy general and ex-military prosecutor, said, “Courts are making efforts to self-establish themselves.”

Panorama.am earlier referred to data submitted by DAHK proving that the service always reports to the general prosecutor’s office. We interviewed Alina Yengoyan, press secretary of Appeal Court, on the developments.

- On February 2, 2007 Gagik Jhangiryan, deputy general prosecutor, said that in some cases courts are trying to self-establish themselves but they will have to come back to law and the filed of legal reasoning. What is your opinion on that?

- Such a statement is out of borders of professional ethics. It is clear that in the course of introduction of competitive judicial system and European standards, tougher requirements will be imposed on pre-investigation officials and prosecutor’s office in the criminal investigation process. It is natural that these structures will have to work more. But it is unacceptable to condemn the courts because it is not their wish but is a tendency of modern Armenian development. After all, if the deputy prosecutor general means independence of courts by saying “self-establishment” then he is absolutely right. We witness that process. Courts are becoming more independent and that process will continue.

- Don’t you that the statement of the deputy prosecutor general referred to Mataghisi Case.

- The Armenian Constitutional proclaims and guarantees freedom of speech throughout Armenia. Any person may express his/her opinion and we welcome that. However, we think the opinion should be in the boundaries of law and ethics.