Ombudsman not entitled to replace his representative in fact-finding group

PanARMENIAN.Net - Commenting upon RA Ombudsman Armen Harutyunyan's claim, coalition representative Robert Avagyan, former member of the fact-finding group investigating March 1, 2008 incidents, expressed his agreement over the facts mentioned therein. "I agree that the fact-finding group is politicized, and there is atmosphere of intolerance prevailing there. But I don't understand why Human Rights Defender pretends to be the Pope of Rome, considering himself the symbol of innocence," he said.



Agreeing with Ombudsman's statement, Avagyan noted that coalition members "took up a job they'd never done before". "That's true, Gevorg Tovmasyan and I found that authorities, namely, investigative bodies and Prosecutor's Office, had already said what they had to say, and in such situation, it was necessary to give opposition a chance to work," Avakyan added, noting that such step should be welcomed instead of being condemned.



With all his respect for his former student's knowledge of law, Mr. Avagyan stressed that Ombudsmen was not properly familiarized with President's decree. "The document clearly states that all 5 members of the group can be replaced. It doesn't contain any clause on Ombudsman's being entitled to appoint a new government," coalition member said.