In the framework of “The Investigator Presents” series of interviews of Iravaban.net, we talked with Aghasi Isahakyan, the Head of the Shirak Marz Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee, the First Class Councilor of Justice
He talked about important things in his career, work difficulties and family. He thinks that a person who has chosen the profession of an investigator should not think about risks or focus on them.
– Mr. Isahakyan, do you remember what the first case in your work practice was?
– Yes, of course I remember. I was a newly appointed investigator and was assigned an unsolved burglary case. The mentioned crime was revealed in a short period of time, as a result of which it was found out that a group of people had committed multiple thefts with the involvement of a minor. Based on the volume of the case, the head of our department instructed me to transfer the criminal case to an experienced investigator, arguing that I have just been appointed, I will not make it, the case has nuances, it should be demarcated whether a minor is involved in the case or not. However, taking into account my theoretical analysis of what happened and my request to leave the case in my proceedings, the case was left in my proceedings. We arrested three of the mentioned four persons; the minor was handed over to his parents. I performed many investigative and judicial actions in a short period of time as a result of which I charged all four of them and the case with the indictment was sent to the court. I even remember their data now. By the way, a few days ago, when I was entering the administrative building of the Shirak Regional Investigative Department, I saw one of them at the entrance, who turned to me and asked if I remember him. I answered that I remember very well and he thanked me for the objectivity of the examination I had done years ago and for my fairness.
– And what was the most memorable and significant case in your career?
– Years ago, when I was on duty, an alarm was received at night that the criminal was caught by the owner while committing a robbery in the store, during which he also injured the victim with the knife he had, there was another person with him. During the preliminary investigation conducted within 72 hours after the arrest of two persons, I found out that the actual crime, the person who committed the active actions, enjoyed reputation in their district, and the second boy who was with him was a smart, modest boy, a one-sided orphan. Realizing that the latter, having appeared in the penitentiary, will not be corrected, but perhaps his fate will be different, I did not apply to the court for arrest, I released him from arrest, I imposed a restraining order, a signature not to leave, and the case was sent to the court regarding both charges. The first of them was sentenced to imprisonment, and the second conditional. One day, the boy’s mother came to my office, thanking me that thanks to the approach shown, her son did not become a criminal.
Once, while walking in the city, that woman met me by chance, approached me, and told me in a very happy and grateful tone that her son was married, working, and had a child. Believe me, there is no greater satisfaction than that you were able to influence a person to stand on the right path. It may not have been the most significant case in my career, but it was definitely the most impressive.
– What attracts you in your work?
– Let it not sound loud, I am attracted by an inner desire to serve the Republic of Armenia, with my honest, selfless work to contribute to the stability of our state and the strengthening of the legal system. I have always been of the belief that if you do not have such inner incentives, the spirit of a civil servant, a real perception of service, you should not be in that system. I assure you that if I were guided by other motivations, I would definitely find an opportunity for self-expression in the private sector.
– Have you ever had disappointments at work? How do you overcome work difficulties?
– I haven’t had any disappointments, in some cases I have been saddened by some things, angry, but I waited and believed. I think these are human things, especially if you have stable working principles. As for work difficulties, they are there to be overcome. The important thing is to assess the difficulty correctly. The rest can be overcome and implemented through sufficient professionalism, will, consistency and teamwork. I know what I am working for, I realize that our population benefits as a result of our work. I believe that tomorrow we will leave our children with a more prosperous future, and this obliges us not to face difficulties and not to be disappointed.
– What risks does the investigator’s work include in general?
– I have always believed that a person who has chosen the profession of an investigator should not think about risks or focus on them. Believe me, I thought about it for the first time after hearing this question. Yes, the risks can be many. However, God is the protector of all of us. The biggest guarantee to minimize the risks is to ensure a fair, objective and comprehensive investigation.
– How do you evaluate the social guarantees of investigators?
– In recent years, serious changes have been made in that direction. And since 1 June, there was a 92 percent increase in wages. This is a significant improvement, taking into account the overburdening of examination work to a certain extent, to ensure the stability of the system, which ultimately has a direct impact on the quality and efficiency of examinations.
– In your opinion, is the image of the investigator correctly perceived by the public? What would you change?
– Yes, I think the perceptions are generally adequate, although it is noticeable that there are misconceptions about the scope of the investigator’s work. In any case, trust in the investigator is increasing day by day. I am convinced that if we do our work well, those perceptions will automatically begin to reflect reality more mirror-like.
– Do your 2 children often ask questions about work, do they have a desire to follow your path?
– My children and family members do not ask me questions about my work. They know that I am closed in that matter. Probably, seeing this, my children grew up with that mentality. My children are still small. When they grow up, they will decide what profession to choose. Whatever they decide to become, it will be their choice. I will only support them based on their preferences, strengths, weaknesses and potential.
– You are the Head of the Shirak Regional Investigative Department. What are the characteristics of the region, what types of crime are the most common?
– In recent years, there has been an unprecedented increase in illegal drug trafficking and the driving of vehicles by a person who has been deprived of the right to drive vehicles or that right has been suspended, or driving a vehicle while intoxicated by that person or a person who does not have the right to drive vehicles, or refusing or avoiding to undergo a sobriety test. And the marz has no special features, as evidenced by the comparison of regional and national statistics on the state of crime.
– At the end of the last year, the Republic was shocked by the sensational murders that took place in Pemzashen. What difficulties are there in connection with the examination of the criminal case? At what stage is the case now?
– Due to the pre-trial secrecy, I cannot talk about much. I would just like to mention that the two defendants are still in custody and an active investigation is underway. We understand that the public expects quick results. However, the objectivity of the investigation, the completeness and irrefutability of the obtained evidence, to which our actions are directed now, are equally important. As pointed out, there are always difficulties in other cases. But they can be overcome; they do not affect the quality of the exam in any way.
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.
