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SERZH SARGSYAN'S SPECIAL WEAPON
HAKOB BADALYAN
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/27932
Comments - Thursday, 01 November 2012, 17:27
Most probably, during the presidential election Serzh Sargsyan will
rely on the tactics of "special assignments" to law enforcement bodies
which he first used after the notorious deal between Azerbaijan and
Hungary, a heavy brunt to his efficiency as president.
The first step Serzh Sargsyan took to prevent further blows was the
special assignment to Gorik Hakobyan. It was followed by several
more other special assignments to the head of national security and
the prosecutor general, a meeting with the office of the prosecutor
general. On the eve Serzh Sargsyan gave "special assignments" to the
prosecutor general, the minister of justice, the head of police and
the head of the special investigative department.
Apparently, the judicial system will be one of Serzh Sargsyan's
important cards. The focus will be on steps aiming at reforms in this
system, and even more on relevant speeches. However, the key issue
remains between the lines.
The line of "special assignments" is most probably aimed at political,
government and pro-government subjects the majority of which is
vulnerable in terms of law.
The question is whether Serzh Sargsyan can have confidence in the
judicial system, whether it can be confident that the system will
not resort to sabotage when special assignments produce the opposite
effect. There is danger indeed, especially when it is obvious that
Serzh Sargsyan has failed to keep the government under full control.
Can he force Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan to resign? Or does
Serzh Sargsyan need him to resign? Perhaps he does not need because
it would be an extra problem ahead of the presidential election,
especially when the problem of government is up in the air. However,
the very fact that Serzh Sargsyan needs a broad government consensus
is evidence to complications relating to Aghvan Hovsepyan.
At the same time, one could notice how Serzh Sargsyan hung the
case of Vartan Oskanian over the heads of Aghvan Hovsepyan and the
entire law enforcement system, announcing through Hovik Abrahamyan
and Galust Sahakyan that if Oskanian is innocent, those guilty will
be held responsible.
Since the issue of innocence or guilt of Oskanian is obviously resolved
outside the law enforcement systems is a fact.
On the other hand, during the parliamentary hearing of Oskanian's
case the office car issue was hung over Aghvan Hovsepyan's head,
which was brought up by Member of Parliament Nikol Pashinyan.
As to the chief of police Vova Gasparyan, Serzh Sargsyan stated
a long time ago that he is the type of person he needs to have in
this position.
In fact, Serzh Sargsyan has insured himself from sabotage in the
judicial system though this insurance will hardly provide a full
coverage.
Recently, he has been trying to convey to his domestic opponents that
they may have more reasons to beware of the judicial system than he.
It is not accidental that Gagik Tsarukyan called his friends for a
meeting in his brandy company on the same day when Serzh Sargsyan
gathered the legal officials for new assignments.
At the same time, Serzh Sargsyan has fears relating to post-electoral
developments and is trying to prepare the law enforcement system. It is
possible that besides repressive hints of pre-electoral self-control
addressed to his opponents he is trying to prevent possible
post-electoral provocations and send a message to foreign centers,
showing that he keeps the law enforcement system under control. At
the same time, he may thus be trying to keep some of these centers
away from the temptation of encouraging post-electoral instability
in Armenia and subsequently his decreasing influence.
HAKOB BADALYAN
http://www.lragir.am/index.php/eng/0/comments/view/27932
Comments - Thursday, 01 November 2012, 17:27
Most probably, during the presidential election Serzh Sargsyan will
rely on the tactics of "special assignments" to law enforcement bodies
which he first used after the notorious deal between Azerbaijan and
Hungary, a heavy brunt to his efficiency as president.
The first step Serzh Sargsyan took to prevent further blows was the
special assignment to Gorik Hakobyan. It was followed by several
more other special assignments to the head of national security and
the prosecutor general, a meeting with the office of the prosecutor
general. On the eve Serzh Sargsyan gave "special assignments" to the
prosecutor general, the minister of justice, the head of police and
the head of the special investigative department.
Apparently, the judicial system will be one of Serzh Sargsyan's
important cards. The focus will be on steps aiming at reforms in this
system, and even more on relevant speeches. However, the key issue
remains between the lines.
The line of "special assignments" is most probably aimed at political,
government and pro-government subjects the majority of which is
vulnerable in terms of law.
The question is whether Serzh Sargsyan can have confidence in the
judicial system, whether it can be confident that the system will
not resort to sabotage when special assignments produce the opposite
effect. There is danger indeed, especially when it is obvious that
Serzh Sargsyan has failed to keep the government under full control.
Can he force Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan to resign? Or does
Serzh Sargsyan need him to resign? Perhaps he does not need because
it would be an extra problem ahead of the presidential election,
especially when the problem of government is up in the air. However,
the very fact that Serzh Sargsyan needs a broad government consensus
is evidence to complications relating to Aghvan Hovsepyan.
At the same time, one could notice how Serzh Sargsyan hung the
case of Vartan Oskanian over the heads of Aghvan Hovsepyan and the
entire law enforcement system, announcing through Hovik Abrahamyan
and Galust Sahakyan that if Oskanian is innocent, those guilty will
be held responsible.
Since the issue of innocence or guilt of Oskanian is obviously resolved
outside the law enforcement systems is a fact.
On the other hand, during the parliamentary hearing of Oskanian's
case the office car issue was hung over Aghvan Hovsepyan's head,
which was brought up by Member of Parliament Nikol Pashinyan.
As to the chief of police Vova Gasparyan, Serzh Sargsyan stated
a long time ago that he is the type of person he needs to have in
this position.
In fact, Serzh Sargsyan has insured himself from sabotage in the
judicial system though this insurance will hardly provide a full
coverage.
Recently, he has been trying to convey to his domestic opponents that
they may have more reasons to beware of the judicial system than he.
It is not accidental that Gagik Tsarukyan called his friends for a
meeting in his brandy company on the same day when Serzh Sargsyan
gathered the legal officials for new assignments.
At the same time, Serzh Sargsyan has fears relating to post-electoral
developments and is trying to prepare the law enforcement system. It is
possible that besides repressive hints of pre-electoral self-control
addressed to his opponents he is trying to prevent possible
post-electoral provocations and send a message to foreign centers,
showing that he keeps the law enforcement system under control. At
the same time, he may thus be trying to keep some of these centers
away from the temptation of encouraging post-electoral instability
in Armenia and subsequently his decreasing influence.