Only 2 of the 14 judges supervising the pre-trial proceedings, including examining detention petitions, will continue to serve in office. The Supreme Judicial Council reported.

As a result of the legislative changes initiated by the Supreme Judicial Council, 14 judges exercising control over pre-trial proceedings (including examining detention petitions) ceased to hold office.

Among them, Armen Poghosyan and Sasun Mkhitaryan took part in the written stage of the qualification check, which was conducted in a special order and with complex procedures, and passed it. If they manage to pass the stages of integrity and the interview stages at the SJC, they will be able to be reappointed to the position of judge.

The other 12 judges were included in the reserve list and will have the opportunity to be re-appointed to the post of judge in the future after receiving additional training or participating in a special qualification check on an equal basis with other candidates.

Notably, the above-mentioned legislative amendments were discussed and elaborated out in December 2022, during the outreach workshops organized in Dilijan by the initiative of the Supreme Judicial Council, with the participation of more than 250 judges, representatives of the legislative and executive authorities operating in the Republic of Armenia.