Today, in reply to the question about the mechanisms of returning the assets withdrawn from Armenia, as well as creating an independent anti-corruption body, Nilol Pashinyan, the head of “Yelk” Faction of the RA national Assembly and the initiator of the Velvet revolution said that every issue shall be addressed in its turn (details in the video).

Notably, the anti-corruption section of the pre-electoral program of “Yelk” states: “The Commission on Ethics of High-Ranking Officials of Armenia will be dissolved and an independent, universal anti-corruption body will be established.”

This clause was included on the recommendation of the CSO Anti-Corruption Coalition of Armenian, and the creation of this body can actually provide the return of assets obtained through illicit enrichment to Armenia.

It should be noted that the Coalition recently issued a statement on the launch of large-scale and radical anti-corruption reforms:

1. For the purpose of compensation of damages caused to the Republic of Armenia as a result of corruption; prompt introduction of Asset Recovery Institute, within the framework of which it is necessary to undertake the process of returning the assets withdrawn from Armenia as a result of corruption to the RA state budget, involving the RA Central Bank, the RA Prosecutor’s Office, law enforcement bodies and the public and at the same time to exclude the current outflow of assets from the territory of the RA.
2. For the purpose to eliminate the atmosphere of impunity in the country; the prompt detection of cases of illicit enrichment and the formation of a independent public experts panel within the coalition, which will be aimed at analyzing the declaration of property, income and conflict of interests submitted by officials, revealing cases of illicit enrichment and transferring them to the RA General Prosecutor’s Office for initiating criminal cases.
3. For the purpose to gain public confidence in the fight against corruption; ensuring the legality, transparency and accountability for the election of the Competition Board Members: President of the Constitutional Court, Human Rights Defender, the oppositional factions of the National Assembly, the Public Council, Chamber of Advocates for the election of the members of newly formed Corruption Prevention Committee. Exclusion of mechanical reproduction of members of the Commission on Ethics of High-Ranking Officials, and selection of professional candidates having relevant anti-corruption experience and committed to integrity and anti-corruption values.
4. For the purpose of effective fight against corruption; Establishing an Anti-Corruption Multifunctional Universal Body Based on the Anti-Corruption Commission of the Republic of Armenia, which in addition to educational and preventive functions in the fight against corruption, will be endowed with the function of conducting preliminary investigation, including the authority to conduct operative-investigative activities.
5. For the purpose of fight against monopolies and dominating positions; Implementation of anti-corruption audit by an independent audit selected by the RA Anti-Corruption Commission from the commercial companies,; Establishing a Register of beneficial Owners and maintaining the Registry.
6. For the purpose to combat political corruption in the elections; Implementation of radical anti-corruption reforms of the RA Electoral Code, RA Law on Political Parties, and the RA Criminal Code.
7. For the purpose to combat corruption in the judicial system; the creation of a specialized court or a specialized tribunal on corruption cases, through the reform of human resources.