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RELIGIOUS-MOTIVATED CRIMES INVESTIGATED WITHOUT RELIGIOUS EXPERTS, SAYS OFFICIAL
Tert.am
25.08.11
Vardan Ascatryan, the Head of the Government's Ethnic Minorities and
Religious Affairs Department, is concerned that religious-motivated
crimes in Armenia are investigated without the involvement of relgous
experts.
Speaking to Tert.am, Ascatryan said that neither the National Security
Service nor the Defense Ministry employ such specialists.
"No such positions exist; neither are there any plans to create them.
But it is a must for both the judiciary and the law enforcement
bodies," he said, stressing the importance of employing psychologists,
experts and religious specialists in the above agencies.
He noted further that their Department is the only government agency
that exercises the functions of an expert body, without however,
being involved the processes.
"I would explain that by the absence of precedents. The law enforcement
system does not yet admit the role of religious expertise," he added.
Tert.am
25.08.11
Vardan Ascatryan, the Head of the Government's Ethnic Minorities and
Religious Affairs Department, is concerned that religious-motivated
crimes in Armenia are investigated without the involvement of relgous
experts.
Speaking to Tert.am, Ascatryan said that neither the National Security
Service nor the Defense Ministry employ such specialists.
"No such positions exist; neither are there any plans to create them.
But it is a must for both the judiciary and the law enforcement
bodies," he said, stressing the importance of employing psychologists,
experts and religious specialists in the above agencies.
He noted further that their Department is the only government agency
that exercises the functions of an expert body, without however,
being involved the processes.
"I would explain that by the absence of precedents. The law enforcement
system does not yet admit the role of religious expertise," he added.