In 2019, Aghavni decided to quit her job as an advocate, leaving six years behind bars. Iravaban.net talked with Aghavni Madoyan, prosecutor at the Department of State Interests Protection at the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Armenia.

“You left advocate’s practice and became a prosecutor. Was the transition easy?

“The transition wasn’t easy, but I didn’t have many difficulties. From a psychological point of view, I still look at some cases through the eyes of an advocate, but it also helps to better understand the problem, maximally protect people, citizens’ rights, both as a prosecutor and an advocate lawyer. It helps more.

– Let’s agree that it does not often happen when advocates enter the law enforcement system. Prosecutors and investigators usually began to work as advocates. Why is it so and how did you decide to enter the system?

“I have been asked this question a lot, to this day, how it happened that after almost six years of practicing law, I decided to go to the prosecutor’s office. This is not often the case, and this is also due to the high salaries in the private sector. We need to understand why we are working for a state system what do we do it, what do we sacrifice, and what we earn. I think that every person should serve the state, the state system at a certain point in life. At this point, I believe that the prosecutor’s office has sufficient powers and tools to carry out its objectives within the scope of its functions. Ideally, I felt they were close to me, and I chose the prosecutor’s office.

-What was your first feeling when you went to court as a prosecutor?

“For the first time after a five-month break, I went into the court room, I had a very interesting feeling. First, I had missed it. When I entered the court again, I did not notice any difference in the civil suit. My goal was to defend the claim for damages, and I did. What I did during my law practice. I did not notice a differentiated approach, even a psychological one.

– How was accepted your decision in the advocacy community?

“My friends looked very contradictory to my decision. There was one question for everyone; why did I decide to become a prosecutor? After my action, I have seen a certain interest among my friends to work in the prosecutorial system.

Details in the video

Interview by Evgenia Hambardzumyan

Video by Vahe Vardanyan