Acting Minister of Justice: For the first time in the history of Armenia, a life prisoner was released

Arminfo, Armenia
Dec 17 2018

ArmInfo. To implement the  reforms, we use new approaches and innovative methods, including the  use of digital tools. About this December 17 at a press conference,  said Acting Minister of Justice Artak Zeynalyan.

He noted that an administrative amnesty was carried out, which spread  to more than 108,000 citizens, and more than 1 million 260 thousand  enterprises were discontinued. A criminal amnesty was also carried  out, as a result of which more than 550 prisoners were released. As  for the probation field, she touched over 1,000 citizens. In Yerevan,  Gyumri, Goris in prisons, special departments will be opened for the  treatment of prisoners, which will provide an opportunity with less  funding to get more effect.

More than 240 people were parole, this is more than a third of the  submitted petitions. At the same time in the history of Armenia, a  life prisoner was released for the first time.

A video link system was also introduced. Henceforth, prisoners during  the month of 20 minutes are entitled to a video link with the family.  In the event that they have exhausted the limit, then on the  instructions of the minister the prisoners will have an additional  opportunity. Long visit times for life-long prisoners and prisoners  for especially serious crimes have been extended. The practice of  unjustified ban on dating was discontinued. Prisoners also received  the right to receive a document certifying their identity.

According to Zeinalyan, about 270 million drams were allocated to  restore the sewage system at the Nubarashen, Vardashen and Sevan  penitentiaries, of which more than 100 million were saved and the  money would be returned to the budget. In 200 cases, a petition for  clemency was made, which were presented to the Prime Minister. Also  acting the minister noted that the capabilities of the electronic  notary were expanded.

Already developed and will soon be presented a new strategy to combat  corruption. Soon a new program of actions in this area will be  presented to the public.

Changes were also made to the Civil Code. The procedure for paying  pensions to people abroad was forgiven. Now, you can certify the  existence of a citizen by means of a notary or a consul. Previously,  this required the personal presence of a pensioner.