Expert: Some illicit asset cases to be dropped or reviewed

A number of cases concerning property of illicit origin will be dropped, suspended or re-evaluated following a key ruling by the Constitutional Court, says Gohar Meloyan, co-founder of the International Center on Development of Parliamentarism.

 

Speaking at a conference jointly organized by GM Legal Law Firm and the International Center on Development of Parliamentarism, Meloyan noted that although the court upheld the constitutionality of the law under abstract review, it did not restrict individuals from filing separate claims on grounds of unconstitutionality.

 

Meloyan emphasized that moving forward, authorities must consider whether the property in question is linked to a criminal offense and was acquired after the official took office. This interpretation significantly narrows the Prosecutor General’s authority and is expected to lead to the dismissal, suspension or revision of several cases.

 

“We’ve seen instances where proceedings were launched despite the absence of these conditions, including property acquired before an individual assumed public office,” said Meloyan, citing examples dating back to 1995.

 

Currently, around 140 cases related to assets of illicit origin are being pursued.

 

The International Center on Development of Parliamentarism was formed in 2019, declaring the primary goals of its activities: 

1. establishment of democracy, 
2. the consolidation of the rule of law, 
3. the development of parliamentarism, 
4. raising people's awareness and legal consciousness, 
5. and ensuring the implementation of personal, political, and socio-economic rights in the Republic of Armenia.

During 6 years of its operation, the organization has carried out awareness-raising activities and organized training courses in the regions of the Republic of Armenia.

ICDP also carries out observation missions in electoral processes, in the context of which it organizes training courses for observers.