June 1, 2005 - 12:52 AMT
ARMENIAN PROSECUTOR GENERAL MET WITH GRECO DELEGATION
Armenian Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepian today met with the delegation of the monitoring commission of the Group of States against Corruption (GRECO), reported the Yerkir newspaper. Hovsepian acquainted the guests with the authorities and functions, as well as mechanisms of organization of the structure of activities of the Prosecutor's Office of Armenia in compliance with the Armenian Constitution and the Law on the Prosecutor's Office. The parties discussed issues of protection of witnesses, as well as means earned by criminal activities, criminal and civil legal proceedings tasks, controlling execution of the punishment and other punitive measures. Mr. Hovsepian also reported the forming of a Department for Struggle against Corruption within the Prosecutor's Office of Armenia that is subordinated to the Prosecutor in person. In his words, the Department coordinates all criminal cases under the jurisdiction of Offices of Public Prosecutors in Armenia. Playing a significant role in providing for the independence of the system, the Department makes analysis, responds to statements, gathers information. It should be noted that that according to the Constitution of Armenia, the Armenian President appoints the Prosecutor General being nominates by the Prime Minister. The GRECO delegation members noted that problems between the judicial system, the prosecutor's office and the government are available in virtually all states. Advisor to Armenian FM, head of the GRECO Armenian delegation Ashot Galoyan also took part in the meeting.