Armenian parliament speaker Hovik Abramian says serious repercussions will follow President Serzh Sarkisian's recent harsh criticism of the country’s prosecutors.
Abramian, who is on an official trip to the Czech Republic, told RFE/RL's Armenian Service that he expects resignations in the prosecutor-general's office.
"There are always resignations in all spheres," Abramian said. "In this case, president has raised the issue very seriously."
In a televised meeting at the prosecutor-general's office on October 29, President Sarkisian angrily accused some prosecutors and law-enforcement officials of involvement with organized crime groups.
Sarkisian said little has been done to curb corruption and thoroughly investigate some cases. According to the president, investigators at prosecutor-general’s office often forge documents, alter data, and misuse facts to help criminals avoid justice.
Sarkisian also accused law-enforcement officers and prosecutors of framing innocent citizens in order to protect real criminals. He said several complaints have been filed saying citizens were beaten in prosecutors' offices.
The president also questioned morale in the ranks of prosecutors and law-enforcement officers. According to him, there have been many cases in which police officers have misbehaved in public and also have been found guilty of beating people.
Sarkisian demanded what he termed "more professionalism and a serious attitude" from the prosecutor-general, his deputies, and their investigators.
His unusually tough criticism of law enforcement officers and prosecutors comes as the country is getting ready for presidential elections in February 2013.
Sarkisian is the leader of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia. He has confirmed his intention to run for the second term in office.
Abramian, who is on an official trip to the Czech Republic, told RFE/RL's Armenian Service that he expects resignations in the prosecutor-general's office.
"There are always resignations in all spheres," Abramian said. "In this case, president has raised the issue very seriously."
In a televised meeting at the prosecutor-general's office on October 29, President Sarkisian angrily accused some prosecutors and law-enforcement officials of involvement with organized crime groups.
Sarkisian said little has been done to curb corruption and thoroughly investigate some cases. According to the president, investigators at prosecutor-general’s office often forge documents, alter data, and misuse facts to help criminals avoid justice.
Sarkisian also accused law-enforcement officers and prosecutors of framing innocent citizens in order to protect real criminals. He said several complaints have been filed saying citizens were beaten in prosecutors' offices.
The president also questioned morale in the ranks of prosecutors and law-enforcement officers. According to him, there have been many cases in which police officers have misbehaved in public and also have been found guilty of beating people.
Sarkisian demanded what he termed "more professionalism and a serious attitude" from the prosecutor-general, his deputies, and their investigators.
His unusually tough criticism of law enforcement officers and prosecutors comes as the country is getting ready for presidential elections in February 2013.
Sarkisian is the leader of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia. He has confirmed his intention to run for the second term in office.
