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As a result of implementation of the Law on Confiscation of Property of Illegal Origin, there are about 300 non-completed and 20 completed investigations in the proceedings at this moment. The lawsuits were filed to the court in case of 8 out of 20, and proceedings were accepted by the court. The details of the cases are available to the public, the sittings will be public. In 20 completed cases, the court applied the means of preliminary securing of the claim. During the next 2-3 months, more than 20 lawsuits should also be access to court. In parallel, work is done on the peace agreements, the number of peace talks will increase in future.

On May 18, the draft law on Making Amendments and Addenda to the Law on Confiscation of Property of Illegal Origin authored by the Government was debated at the sitting of the Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs of the National Assembly.

The key rapporteur, the Deputy Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia Srbuhi Galyan noted that the need for the adoption of the draft is conditioned by the increase of the efficiency of investigations in relation to the confiscation of property of illegal origin. It was also proposed to give the body conducting the proceedings an opportunity to claim the cost of acquisition of property from a respondent, and if the property is outside Armenia to claim the cost of acquisition of that property from the responsible person.

According to Srbuhi Galyan, during the last two years it has become obvious that it is not reasonable to finish the investigation of some cases in two years based on their complexity and objective problems. It was proposed to make the investigation three years instead of two, and to extend the amendment to started and unfinished studies in order to overcome the existing problems. Some technical amendments were made.

Summarizing, the key rapporteur stated that the regulations envisaged by the proposed amendments will contribute to the effective and comprehensive conduct of investigations.

The co-rapporteur, the deputy Arpine Davoyan said the debated draft law is one of the most debated and controversial laws after 2018. She noted with regret that the representatives of the parliamentary opposition are absent at the sitting of the Committee.

According to the Committee Chair Vladimir Vardanyan, the draft law under debate is based on a principle known in Roman law: no right can arise from a violation of the law.

The legislative initiative was endorsed.