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Human rights activist Artur Sakunts, Chairman of Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly-Vanadzor, links the resignation of RA Prosecutor General Gevorg Kostanyan to the incidents of July 17-31, more exactly to the seizure by ‘Sasna Tsrer’ of the patrol-guard service regiment and the subsequent incidents and the illegal actions by law enforcement agencies. In his interview to Aravot.am, Sakunts expressed the opinion below on the Prosecutor General’s resignation: “It is directly linked to the incidents of July 17-31.

I’m sure it is closely linked to the large-scale illegal actions by the police we witnessed. Apparently, the Prosecutor General, in his capacity of the RA Government’s representative to the European Court, fully realized that he would not be able to protect the interests of the Government of the Republic of Armenia properly, as relevant applications might be submitted. By the way, the applications regarding the incidents of March 1 are currently under consideration; in other words, he did not assume this responsibility.”

In response to our question on whether it was a moral move as qualified on the social networks, Sakunts said, “I cannot say whether it was a moral or immoral act. In terms of the system, it may be an immoral act, but I think he doesn’t want to assume responsibility for the illegal actions the system committed by the hands of the police, those terror acts against civilians.”

In response to our observation that according to attorneys, criminal cases are initiated and charges are brought against political figures based on the testimonies of police officers, like in the case of the March 1 incidents, and the Prosecutor General’s Office is the authority supervising the preliminary investigation, Sakunts said, “Yes, it’s the Prosecutor General’s Office that supervises the preliminary investigation. PACE has already issued resolutions on the March 1 incidents clearly stating that the charges and criminal proceedings based on the testimonies of police officers raise suspicions. Naturally, Kostanyan should either annul them or comply by the approaches of the PACE; in this terms, he might not have committed an apparent fraud, might he? “

Note that after March 1, 2008, PACE issued several resolutions against Armenia. Under those resolutions, the criminal cases and charges based on the testimonies of police officers were viewed as political motives. Moreover, PACE expressed its concern and urged the law enforcement agencies of our country to correct the problems. When asked by Aravot.am whether other officials might resign as well in the near future for the same reason, Sakunts said, “Vahram Shahinyan, Head of the Special Investigation Service.”

Note that the functions of the Special Investigation Service cover: “preliminary investigation into criminal proceedings regarding complicity on the part of high officials of legislative, executive and judicial authorities and persons in charge of special public service in their official capacity or the crimes committed by them, as well as election processes. If necessary, the RA Prosecutor General may debar investigators of other investigative agencies from investigating criminal cases on the crimes committed by the officials listed hereby or with their complicity or under which they are declared victims and assign those cases to the investigators of the Special Investigation Service.”

aravot.am