The change in criminal law has brought with it so much innovation that we have now invested all our potential to absorb the introduced changes, to be competitive and to solve the problems before us in a timely and proper manner. Arman Baghdasaryan, the Head of the Gegharkunik Marz Investigation Department of the RA Investigative Committee, the first-class advisor of justice, told us in the framework of the series of interviews “The Investigator Presents” lmlemented in cooperation with the RA Investigative Committee and the Iravaban.net website .

– Mr. Baghdasaryan, let’s talk a little about the daily routine of the Gegharkunik Regional Department of the Investigative Committee. What are the main work priorities at the moment?

The daily routine of the Gegharkunik Regional Investigation Department of the RA Investigative Committee is currently very busy due to the entry into force of the new criminal procedure legislation, as well as extensive work with the newly appointed investigators. As for the priorities, naturally, priority number one is to reveal the crimes by carrying out a full and objective preliminary investigation in the existing criminal proceedings, and to justify the guilt of the persons who apparently committed a crime in the cases that have already been revealed, with a standard of evidence beyond “reasonable doubt”, thus ensuring criminal justice in the preliminary investigation stage.

– You have been holding this position for a year. What is the primary problem that you noticed and identified in the Gegharkunik Marz Investigation Department that needs to be solved and changed?

I cannot now separate issues that need to be changed, because any changeable problem that arises in any department gets immediate intervention by the Investigation Committee leadership and, as a result, resolution. Of course, the Gegharunik Regional Investigation Department is not free from problems and our daily hard work is aimed at solving the emerging problems. It is not possible to mention one or two specific problems, there are many different ones related to the type and nature of the criminal proceedings and the crimes recorded. However, I want to assure the public that the work of the Investigative Committee is generally aimed at solving, eliminating all emerging problems and ensuring the rule of law.

– In your opinion, what are the main features of the Gegharkunik marz, which however are related to the work of the investigative structure?

The Gegharkunik region of the RA has many features, one of which is the presence of Lake Sevan, as a result of which, especially in the summer season, the cases of traffic accidents, bodily injuries and theft increase, but in winter, due to the ban on industrial fishing of whitefish, the cases of illegal fishing increase. A lot of features can be mentioned, but I think the mentioned ones are already enough.

-Mr. Baghdasaryan, now I have to ask our traditional question, which we asked to the officials of all regional structures of the Investigative Committee. Are there any types of crimes that are regularly highlighted in Gegharkunik Marz?

As I already mentioned in the previous point, illegal fishing cases are mostly recorded in the winter months, which are either non-existent or rarely found in other areas. Traffic accidents are also among the frequently reported crimes. Let’s not forget that the significant section of the Yerevan-Sevan-Ijevan highway is within the jurisdiction of the Gegharkunik regional department.

– What do you consider to be your main principle in effectively organizing the work of the Regional Investigation Department and what innovations do you usually use in your work?

The main principle of effective work is consistency, organization and the will to overcome difficulties. As for the innovation the changes in criminal law have brought with them so much innovation that we have now invested our full potential to master the changes that have been made in order to be competitive and address the challenges we face in a timely and appropriate manner.

-Recently, the new RA Criminal and Criminal Procedure codes were put into operation. How was that transition secured in the Gegharkunik Regional Department of the Investigative Committee?

If we say very smoothly and without problems, of course it is not so, but the leadership of the Investigative Committee managed to ensure that the system was not subjected to serious shocks by training the Committee’s employees and providing instant scientific support on any issue. Additionally, and perhaps most importantly, management has increased the number of investigators and made new appointments, allowing for a proper response to any crime incident.

-Mr. Baghdasaryan, in your opinion, what qualities should an investigator working in the modern public system have as a specialist-lawyer and as an individual?

First of all, a person who has chosen the profession of an investigator must realize that he must invest all his potential and time in this responsible work. I think that as a specialist-lawyer, one should be armed with a sufficient amount of knowledge, and as an individual, one should be endowed with a strong will, a sense of responsibility and discipline.

– Before being appointed the head of the Gegharkunik Regional Investigation Department, you held the position of the Head of the Investigation Department of the Ajapnyak and Davtashen Administrative Districts of the Yerevan City Investigation Department. Was this change difficult? How did the family members accept the news of the change of workplace?

To my delight, I must say that my family understands the nature of my work and the responsibility of an officer, so the news of the job change was received adequately. And that circumstance also helps a lot to focus on the work.