One of the working priorities of the regional department is to have a correct understanding of the traditions and customs of the residents of the regions, which is one of the keys to an effective preliminary investigation. Vahe Mirzoyan, Head of the Ararat Regional Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of the RA, first-class advisor of justice, Vahe Mirzoyan, presenting the situation in the region within the framework of ” The Investigator Presents“ series of interviews of Iravaban.net.

-Mr. Mirzoyan, first I have thttps://iravaban.net/o ask you to present the main directions of activity of the Ararat Regional Department of the RA Investigative Committee.

– Territorial subdivisions of RA Investigative Committee, including Ararat Marz Investigative Department, organize their functions guided by the RA Constitution, the RA Law “On Investigative Committee” and other legal acts, which clearly indicate the powers of investigators and directions of work activities. However, I will point out some of these directions: the fight against crime, the strengthening of the legal system, the protection of the legal interests of the state and citizens, their rights and freedoms by conducting effective and quality investigations.

– Let’s talk a little about regional characteristics. What are the peculiarities of the Ararat region and how do they affect the work of the regional investigative unit?

– Like every administrative territorial unit of the RA, Ararat Marz also has its own characteristics. The Marz includes the regions of Artashat, Masis and Vedi, which are distinguished from each other by the peculiarities of the population and other features, which in turn affects the dynamics of certain types of crimes recorded in the region. One of the work priorities of our department is to have a correct understanding of the traditions and customs of the inhabitants of the above-mentioned regions, which, of course, is one of the keys to an effective preliminary investigation.

-Mr. Mirzoyan, one traditional question that was asked and will be asked during interviews with almost all regional structures. What types of crimes are recorded the most in Ararat Marz?

– Analyzes of the dynamics of crime allow us to distinguish several types of crimes typical of the region, which have a relatively large weight in the number of general crimes.

In particular, crimes committed as a result of violating the rules of traffic and vehicle operation, cases of illegal drug trafficking and causing bodily injuries of various degrees. As for the high numerical index of crimes committed as a result of violating the rules of traffic and vehicle operation, it is appropriate to mention that the Yerevan-Yeraskh high-speed section of the North-South highway passes through the territory of the region. In addition, as we know, the marz includes a large part of the Ararat valley, where the soil and favorable climate favor the cultivation of plants containing prohibited drugs and, later, their sale.

– There are many fish farms in Ararat marz. What is the situation in this area? Some time ago there were cases when it was reported about the illegal construction and operation of fish farms.

– You have noticed quite correctly, there are many people engaged in fish farming in the territory of the region, especially in the Masisi region, but very few cases of illegal fish farming have been recorded in recent years. All this is due to the changes in the legislation regulating the sector and the coordinated work of the law enforcement system of the region and other responsible departments. As a clear evidence of all this, I should mention that there have been no cases of illegal fish farming in the territory of the region in the last one year.

– What plans do you have in the near future to increase the effectiveness of the work of the Ararat Regional Investigation Department?

– We know that from 1 July, 2022, the new Criminal Procedure Code and the New Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia came into effect, according to which many procedures are significantly different from the previous legal regulations, and it is already  month the investigators have been working we can say under the double- triple load. Along with what has been said, I should mention that the management of the Investigative Committee is doing everything in the direction of fully filling the vacant positions of the department’s investigators and reducing the workload. In addition, by the order of the Chairman of the Committee, a commission was created, the purpose of which is to quickly and promptly respond to the issues related to the new legislative regulations, to bring up both the central apparatus,

Due to the need to fully ensure the state’s policy in the field assigned to the investigative committee, training courses for both investigators and management staff are organized. In parallel with our daily work, we study the new legislation, combining it with practical work, which will enable us to quickly assimilate the new changes and carry out an effective and high-quality investigation. In order to increase the effectiveness of the work of our department, it is also very important to recruit competent and knowledgeable personnel worthy of the title of investigator, as well as the daily hard work of already working investigators, for the benefit of our country, for the benefit of the population of the region.

I can consider the proper and comprehensive implementation of the above as our main priority for the future, which will lead to continuous improvement of the department’s work.

– In your opinion, what characteristics should an investigator working in the region possess?   

– I think all investigators working in the regional and other units of the committee should have the same qualities, and I would not like to point out such personal or professional qualities that would characterize only the investigator working in the regional unit. I want to note that according to my definition, the investigator is rather a title than a position. The work of an investigator is an honorable and extremely responsible job that requires, first of all, high human and professional qualities, as I have already mentioned as well as daily hard and persistent work with the determination to make fair and objective decisions. If a person is endowed with the qualities I have listed, I am more than sure that the investigator in question will achieve great professional success.

This initiative, implemented in cooperation with the RA Investigative Committee and the Iravaban.net website, aims to properly present to the public the main directions of the work carried out by the preliminary investigation body, to reflect on the peculiarities of pre-trial proceedings and other issues of public importance.