March 10, 2009 - 16:38 AMT
RA Ombudsman: there should be a strict separation between business and power in Armenia
"It's time to create a free society in Armenia. There should be a strict separation between business and power in Armenia, by forming separate business and political elites," RA Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan specified in his 2008 Report on Human Rights Protection.

"Oligarchic network should be abolished. A one-person combination of statesman, official and entrepreneur could liken the modern times relations in Armenia to those of feudal times. To create free civil society, the RA Government must resign control over economy resources and stop imposing decisions in this sphere."

According to Harutyunyan, oligarchic network of Armenia should acknowledge the superiority of law and enter the field of taxation. "We suggest a compromise which will enable establishment of free economic relations in the country. Until then it's pointless to speak of human rights protection," the Ombudsman stated.