As a result of the implementation of the new criminal and criminal procedure codes, the workload of investigators has increased, and alleviation of this workload will provide the best opportunities for increasing the quality of preliminary investigation and reducing the time period. Azat Gevorgyan, Head of the Investigative Department of the of Yerevan of the RA Investigative Committee, said within the framework of “The Investigator Presents” series of interviews of Iravaban.net. He also presented the innovations he is going to apply in his work.

– Mr. Gevorgyan, you have recently been appointed to the position of the Head of the Investigative Department of Yerevan City of the RA Investigative Committee, and we would like to talk about the main programs and initiatives that you consider to be the main priorities of the department’s upcoming activities.

– First of all, I would like to express my gratitude for organizing the interview, for the interest shown in the difficult work of the investigator, for covering it impartially and for making it accessible to the widest masses of the public. I consider one of the main and priority tasks of the unit to relieve the workload of the investigators carrying out the investigation, which has increased more as a result of the implementation of the new criminal and criminal procedure codes, and relieving the workload will provide the best opportunities for increasing the quality of the preliminary investigation and reducing the time.

It is no less important to fill the division with personnel who are knowledgeable and have human and professional qualities specific to the investigator, in which direction the top management of the RA Investigative Committee takes all the necessary steps, starting from filling the list of candidates for independent positions in the Committee, from the process of studying at the Justice Academy to the appointment of the position; and many changes have already been made in that direction with positive results.

– What measures will you take to organize the work of the department more efficiently and what innovations are you going to apply in your work?

– In order to organize the work more effectively, as I mentioned above, first, it is necessary to remove the created overload, and in parallel, at the same time, to organize and coordinate the works correctly. It is also necessary to develop an effective investigation methodology for individual crimes, which will allow investigators to conduct a comprehensive and effective investigation in a short time. An innovation can be considered the fact that in the near future the version of electronic preliminary investigation will be introduced, which will allow investigators to carry out document circulation with other state bodies, particularly the Prosecutor’s Office and courts, exclusively electronically, which in turn will lead to optimization of work, time saving and increased efficiency.

– At what stage of the programs aimed at ensuring the proper enforcement of the new RA Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes is the Investigative Department of Yerevan and what measures are you currently taking to effectively ensure all this in the department you head?

– I should note that all possible measures have been taken and continue to be taken in this matter in order to ensure the smooth passage of legislative changes. Due to the adoption of the new criminal and criminal procedure codes of the Republic of Armenia, in order to organize work in the direction of acquisition of material and technical means, increase of posts, awareness of new legal regulations, by the order of the Chairman of the Investigative Committee, a working group was formed as of 31 March, 2022, I was also involved in the group. A tremendous amount of work has been done to achieve the above-mentioned goals, which, I believe, has yielded positive results. And moreover, this was not the only way to master the new legislative procedures, it has a continuous nature. For the same purpose, the entire management staff of the Committee and most of the investigators has undergone training courses. We quickly respond and provide solutions to practical problems arising during the implementation of new codes, moreover, some of them are inventoried and deeply analyzed, and if necessary, drafts on making legislative changes are drawn up.

– Judging by the available statistical data and analyses, which types of crimes are the most noticeable in Yerevan?

– Based on the statistical data, I can definitely say that the most increase is recorded with the use of computer equipment, as well as with the cases of crimes committed in the field of high technologies, which have registered a sharp increase in recent years and continue to show growth trends. Regarding the most noticeable crimes, I will say that all crimes are of public danger and to separate them according to the criterion of being the most noticeable, I think it would not be correct on my part.

– Mr. Gevorgyan, since you have been working in the system for a long time, we assume that there will be some phenomenon, reality that you would like to change, and now, with the appointment to the new position, it will be possible to implement it. Is there any problem that you will be able to solve for the benefit of the system based on your position?

– Yes, there have been and there have been many of them, but currently there are none, at least I do not remember. Starting from the social guarantees of the investigator, from the material and technical equipment to the working conditions are being improving from year to year, which further increases the attractiveness of the position of the investigator. According to the transitional provisions of the new RA Criminal Procedure Code, from 1 January, 2023, the deadlines for criminal prosecution will operate, and in the conditions of overloaded work, it will be a serious challenge for the department to meet the deadlines, but the legislator has also planned legal regulations for the creation of private courts, the implementation of which and the creation of professional courts as a result will significantly reduce the workload of investigators.

As for the last question: every dedicated employee of the Investigative Committee including myself, regardless of their position, has their own role to play in solving the problems faced by the system in their daily and demanding work.

– What principle are you guided by in life and work?

– You know, there are different situations both in life and at work, in the case of each of them, you apply the equivalent principle, and if we generalize them, my principle is to be principled.

– It takes a long time and effort to occupy responsible positions in law enforcement structures. Will you tell about the path you have passed?

– In 2009, I started from the responsible position of investigator, when the investigative service was still included in the system of the RA Police, then I assumed the position of prosecutor in 2014, and 1 I have been serving in the Committee since 202.

I worked in Shirak and Kotayk marzes, as well as in the capital Yerevan, and all the mentioned places had their own characteristics, which had their own mark and handwriting in the creating the work experience.

If course, working in the law enforcement system requires a unique responsibility and effort and at all stages of my work, I have tried to apply maximum efforts, having as the main goal to fulfill the mission entrusted to me with honor and high responsibility, to serve our state with honor and to record positive results in each service.

– You are a lawyer of the young generation, and analyzing the demands and imperatives of the modern world, what would be your main advice to the young lawyers?

– I would advise novice investigators to be brave, not to be discouraged by the difficulties encountered, on the contrary, to overcome them and make them a goal: to be God-fearing and serve for the sake of the Republic of Armenia.

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.