Report on activities of the Ministry of Justice for 2015 is presented to the Prime Minister

   The Government, headed by Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan, discussed the Report on the activities carried out by the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia, the Judicial Acts Compulsory Enforcement Service and the Penitentiary Department in 2015, on the priority objectives, implementation of the Action Plan of the Government of the Republic of Armenia for 2015, as well as on the evaluated performance. 

   Minister of Justice of the Republic of Armenia Arpine Hovhannisyan noted that the draft Law of the Republic of Armenia "On probation service of the Republic of Armenia" was developed with the support of international and Armenian experts last year, as a result of which testing of the probation service was launched in Shengavit administrative district of Yerevan and in Vanadzor. Within the scope of the testing, a visit to “Erebuni” Historical and Archaeological Museum-Reserve for 20 minor convicts was organised jointly with the Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Armenia ahead of Erebuni-Yerevan celebration. Second and third residential auxiliary buildings of "Armavir" Penitentiary Institution of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia were put into operation at the end of the previous year, and the end of the state construction programme of "Armavir" Penitentiary Institution was heralded, aimed at the solution of infrastructure and practical problems of the penitentiary system.    The institution is designed for 1240 convicts. Repairing and finishing works were carried out in "Kosh", "Sevan", "Vanadzor", "Vardashen", "Nubarashen" Penitentiary Institutions of the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Armenia. The energy efficiency project has been launched within the scope of contracts signed between the Penitentiary Service and the Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund, as a result of which issues related to lighting in residential areas of detained persons and convicts, heating in rooms, water isolation of roofs, as well as ensuring of sanitary and hygienic conditions will be solved. Arpine Hovhannisyan informed that the electronic register for the registration of the secured rights to movable property was created in 2015, which has been available on the website at www.registration.am since 1 October 2015. Moreover, 224 beneficiaries (notaries, assistant notaries, lawyers, loan officers and risk management specialists) underwent trainings during the previous year.

   Head of the Judicial Acts Compulsory Enforcement Service Mihran Poghosyan noted that in 2015 the volume of levies and recoveries exceeded AMD 24 billion. An estimated 893․222 enforcement proceedings were initiated, AMD 7 billion 190 million was levied and recovered for the benefit of claimants and, in particular — the State Budget, AMD 13 billion 676 million — for the benefit of legal persons, AMD 1 billion 601 million — for the benefit of natural persons. An estimated 27.348 enforcement proceedings of non-property nature were initiated and processed. The number of completed and dismissed enforcement proceedings amounted to 743 835 in 2015.

   Head of the Penitentiary Department Arthur Osikyan reported that 3 800 convicts and detained persons are currently being kept in penitentiary institutions of the Republic. During the previous year, the Penitentiary Department carried out consistent activities aimed at improving the social conditions of convicts in penitentiary institutions and reducing in corrupt practices in the system. The electronic system for provision of deliveries for convicts has been introduced. The penitentiary institutions have been replenished with the necessary medical equipment as well.

   Prime Minister Hovik Abrahamyan stressed the importance of the reforms being implemented in the justice system and the upcoming programmes, including the introduction of the probation service. The Head of the Government expressed satisfaction with the active work of the Ministry of Justice, the Judicial Acts Compulsory Enforcement Service and the Penitentiary Department in terms of solving the problems they face, including presenting legislative initiatives and ensuring the legal framework for the activities of the Government. 

Information and Public Relations Department
of the Government of Republic of Armenia