Armenia enhancing Anti-Corruption efforts with new cooperation  incentives

ArmInfo.  The Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee of Armenia will be authorized to reward not only Committee employees but also individuals who assist in the agency's activities. The National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia is debating amendments to the law "On the Anti-Corruption Committee" during its session on  April 14.

According to Deputy Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia  Tigran Dadunts, the country's current legislation states that the  Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee may reward and discipline  employees of the Committee, as well as award individuals who assist  in the Committee's activities.  Moreover, the head of the Committee  may award individuals who support the agency with a letter of  gratitude, a commemorative souvenir, or a cash bonus. Medals and  insignia will now be included in these incentives.. This applies not  only to Committee employees but also to individuals who provide  services to the agency. The document provides for a transition  period, according to which, after the law comes into force, the RA  government will adopt a regulatory act within three months.

The rationale for the draft law notes that the fight against  corruption is a process that requires joint efforts and the  involvement of broad segments of society to achieve effective results  in this complex process.  Moreover, the fight against corruption is  not a one-time event, but an ongoing process that requires the joint  efforts of everyone to reduce corruption risks and build a just  society. To properly evaluate the results of joint collaboration with  the aforementioned circle of individuals who have actively provided  assistance, support, services, or otherwise contributed to resolving  problems, identifying suspected corruption-related crimes, and to  increasing their personal interest and motivation, it is possible to  reward them with the aforementioned incentives. A similar practice  has been successfully applied in the case of another body- the  Investigative Committee.

Another change pertains to weapons and special equipment. On November  14, 2023, amendments to the Law "On the Anti-Corruption Committee"  were adopted, establishing legislative provisions for the use of  physical force, special equipment, and weapons by Anti-Corruption  Committee personnel. However, the legislation does not specify the  procedure for Committee employees to acquire weapons or special  equipment, transport them, store them, and surrender them. With the  adoption of the law, this issue will be resolved. Until now,  Committee employees have not been authorized to use special  equipment.