On May 12, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee of the Republic of Armenia Artur Nahapetyan met with Damien Cottier, head of the delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, and members of the delegation who had arrived in Armenia on a two-day visit.

The parties discussed the powers of the Anti-Corruption Committee in relation to the investigation of election-related crimes connected with the upcoming parliamentary elections in Armenia. Particular emphasis was placed on the Committee’s role in ensuring the transparency and legality of electoral processes, as well as on effective coordination of efforts aimed at providing prompt and consistent responses to existing risks.

Artur Nahapetyan noted that the Committee, being the only pre-trial investigative body also vested with operational-search functions, is conducting an active and consistent fight aimed at preventing, suppressing, and uncovering election-related crimes.

Referring to the election-related violations recently uncovered by the Committee, the Chairman stated that they mainly concern cases of offering and receiving bribes, as well as violations of the ban on charity during the electoral period.

Notification. the person accused of a crime is considered innocent until his guilt is proven in accordance with the procedure established by the RA Criminal Procedure Code by a verdict entered into legal force.