Representatives of political parties which are going to take part in the upcoming parliamentary elections often make unsubstantiated statements as if in return for supporting the elections, assurances or promises to stop criminal prosecution are given in recent days. In some cases, statements are made that in recent years, especially the criminal cases investigated with the involvement of community heads have a political feature and they have evidence about which they do not present in order not to make problems for individuals.

 

In this regard, we consider it necessary to clarify the following.

 

It is clear that the representatives of law enforcement bodies have a responsibility for political moderation and any kind of violation of that is prosecuted by law.

 

Promise to terminate criminal prosecution by any representative of law enforcement bodies for other (including political) purposes is a criminal act. We call on all the subjects involved in the process of elections, as well as the citizens offered such possible promises, in case of facing such issues immediately inform the RA Prosecutor's Office. Undertaking the mission of providing the legitimacy of the elections, the Prosecutor's Office guarantees the full protection of the rights and security of those people, at the same time assuring that it will ensure an impartial legal assessment and criminal prosecution of the actions of officials who commit such acts. Besides, it is worth of mentioning that the fact of being informed about the crime, not reporting about it to the law enforcement bodies in accordance with the established procedure is not only reprehensible, but it is also a criminal inaction and it is far from civil attitude.

 

Giving such promises by a representative of a political party or an individual on behalf of law enforcement bodies is, first of all, not serious and it is at least a deception,  in some cases it will receive a strict legal assessment.

It is incomprehensible and inadmissible to make such allegations about the politicization of criminal cases, prosecutions, without being clearly aware of the evidence of the cases. In the pre-election period, such allegations can be mostly perceived as a disguised promise or message which is inadmissible.

 

Taking into account the above-mentioned we again call on not to make evaluative judgments on criminal proceedings without specific data and presentation of facts of pre-election propaganda tools, and to cooperate with law enforcement bodies in case specific data is available.  

 

Finally, legal, democratic and free of electoral violations is the issue of every citizen, every subject taking part in the elections.