Today, on September 1, the National Assembly Ethics Commission discussed Republican MP Arakel Movsisyan’s behavior as to what extent it is in conformity to the ethical norms of a Deputy. The Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office has applied to the Commission requesting to give an assessment of the intimidations of Arakel Movsisyan saying that he is ready to behead or rape anyone who will dare making a negative expression about Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan and his family. Today, the Commission decided by voting to appoint Tevan Poghosyan a Rapporteur. He must listen to the parties in conflict and submit the case to the Commission, after which the Commission will make the final decision.
To our question of whether he sees a violation in the Deputy’s conduct, Tevan Poghosyan replied, “When I study, I will let you know. I do not want to get ahead. We must finally realize that there is a presumption of innocence. Keeping our own conclusions with us, we must do everything according to the regulations”. Note that this is already the second case when a complaint has been filed against Arakel Movsisyan to the Ethics Commission. The first time, the application was submitted by the journalists, whom the Deputy had insulted when attending the famous protest during the discussion of the “gas agreement”. At that time, though the application of the journalists was granted and one of the demands was for Arakel Movsisyan to make a public apology for his conduct, but so far, the lawmaker has not done so.
To our question of what leverage is available to oblige Arakel Movsisyan to execute the Commission’s decision, Tevan Poghosyan replied that the law of NA Rules of Procedure should undergo amendments to be able to use the powers of the Commission. “The lever might be financial, for example, related to the wages, the other one related to depriving of the rights, and if repeated, perhaps raising the issue of depriving of the mandate. Unfortunately, this is still a scope for discussions. The current law does not require more than this. We have had cases when after testing we have realized that people are not satisfied, we have recommended that in addition to this Commission there is also a judicial system and they can protect their interests there.”
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According to Tevan Poghosyan, in this case, a situation of nailing the lawmakers to the barn-door is created, “The Commission shall give only conclusions, but afterwards, the Speaker of the National Assembly, based on his power, can initiate some actions. But whether they will do it or not, it will already evident.”
Hripsime JEBEJYAN
