On the occasion of the International Women’s Day, Iravaban.net talked to Armine Gevorgyan, Senior Investigator of the Department of Investigation of General and Election-Related Crimes of the General Investigation Department, within the framework of “The Investigator Presents” series. She is a mother of four children and despite her workload; she has never regretted her choice of the profession.

– The employees of the Investigative Committee mostly are men. Have you encountered any difficulties in this regard during your work?

– I have been in this system since 2007 and I have never encountered any difficulties in this regard. Every employee, whether male or female, forms a certain attitude around them by their behavior and the work they do, which directly depends on how the person will feel in the given environment or what difficulties will face.

For me, this structure is a place like a family; therefore it is the same as talking about what difficulties can be encountered in the family. At first glance, it may seem that it is difficult for a female investigator to do this work, to get used to the environment, but this is not the case at all if you love your work and treat it responsibly.

Currently, the number of women is increasing in the Investigative Committee and this makes me happy.

– What are the complications of working in a men’s team, especially in such a field?

– I have always noticed that among men there is skepticism and mistrust towards your personality, knowledge and abilities. However, it is only a matter of time, along with working under equal conditions, their attitude will automatically change.

– What problems do female investigators face?

– The work of the investigator is difficult in itself. Only knowing the norms of the criminal procedure is not enough to properly perform the functions set before the investigator, defined by the law. In the course of our work, there are often unforeseen situations, tight conditions, moments that require the need to make basic decisions. Will and endurance are needed to overcome such problems.

A brave female investigator who knows her job can have no problems.

– Now there are not few cases when investigators leave their jobs and often start practicing law. You have been in the system since 2007, what motivates and attracts you in this work?

– I think it is just a matter of preference. I have had many offers to move to different institutions, but my motivation to work as an investigator is one. I love my work and this organization, which has become a second family for me.

– Family, investigator’s work. What difficulties are there in this regard and how do family members accept your work? 

– My husband is a soldier, both of our jobs are difficult and responsible, with this comprehension and understand we accept each other’s schedules.

I usually finish my work late, but when I get home, I dedicate myself only to my family. My principle is one: at work to forget to possible extent that you have a family, and when in the family to forget that you work. Of course, it is not possible to forget about the family at work, but considering that the work of an investigator is mostly mental work, you should be able to focus on work. If I am at home, I deal with the children, their lessons and household chores.

It’s not easy to live in two different dimensions every day, but it works.

– You are a mother of many children, you have 4. How do you manage to take care of the children with your overloaded work?

– Proper planning of time allows getting everything done, of course with the irreplaceable help of grandma. Since I was a child, I wanted to have 4 children; I myself am a member of a large family. My dream has come true in that sense and I consider myself a lucky woman. Family is primary for me, I adore my children and I think that my life could not have been arranged in any other way.

The presence of family and children motivates the investigator to work well, because when your mistake or omission can equally affect your family, you are more alert to work without mistakes.

– When your children started asking what kind of work you do, how do you explain your profession to them?

– They know very well what I do. I don’t usually talk about work at home, but they have a great interest in the legal profession and the work of an investigator.

On the days when I wear a uniform, the children feel proud. I am perceived more in the role of an investigator than as a housewife.

– Have there been moments when you faced difficulties and regretted for choosing the profession? 

– Never.

– There are icons on your desktop; most likely you are a follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In your opinion, how compatible are the church and the law?

– Yes, I am a follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church. There “Narek” has always been present in my office. It is, as we know, considered a sacred book that heals the soul and the body. Maybe it is inspiration, but “Narek” helps me. When I get tired or my thoughts are confused, I read the Bible or “Narek” for 10-15 minutes, it calms me down.

Our work is quite nervous, both in terms of the actual work process and relationships. These books are my little breaks.

– You have been working in the system for many years. Several leaders have changed during your tenure. Do the changes of the Chairman of the Investigative Committee have any effect on the investigator’s work?

– As such, I did not feel the change of the heads of the Investigative Committee abruptly. I think this is one of the exceptional structures that had good leaders and the current leader complements the others.

The Chairman of the Investigative Committee represents the committee in relations with state and local self-government bodies, organizations, ensures the improvement of the social condition of the employees of the structure. For me, the starting point is that the Chairman of the RA Investigative Committee upholds the good reputation of the institution, our family. It is important that the Chairman of the IC in the state, accepted

The current chairman of the investigative committee has the qualities I mentioned. I accept him as a knowledgeable, hardworking, having principles and honest person who does his best to keep the role of the investigator and the Investigative Committee high in the state system, to improve the social conditions of investigator.

The Investigative Committee has an influential role in the state system, which is very important.

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.

Yevgeny Hambardzumyan

Photos by Artyom Petrosyan