Armenian parliament passes penalties for violation of state of emergency rules

The Armenian National Assembly passed unanimously in the second and final reading on Monday a package of daft laws proposing amendments to the Criminal Code and Administrative Offences Code.

A total of 117 MPs voted for the package of government-drafted amendments.

The package envisages a fine of 300 to 500 times the minimum wage for those who break the requirements of self-isolation during a state of emergency. The violation of the isolation or self-isolation requirements resulting in mass infection will be punishable by up to 3 months of arrest or up to 5 years in jail.

The violation of the self-isolation requirements that has caused severe damage to someone’s health will be punished by a fine of up to 700 times the minimum wage, 1-3 months of arrest or up to 2 years in prison. If an isolated or self-isolated person violates the rules causing the death of another person, he/she will face up to 4 years in prison and will be deprived from the right to hold certain public posts.

Under the package, a violation of the restrictions on publication of information is subject to a fine of 50 to 300 times the minimum salary. A failure to remove the banned information within 24 hours will lead to an additional fine of 500 to 1,000 times the minimum wage.