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It has been more than a year since the new Criminal and Criminal Procedure Codes came into force in the Republic of Armenia. As a result of the application of the Codes, a number of practical problems have emerged, which were not yet noticeable at the time of adoption. Therefore, the Ministry of Justice elaborated a draft on the basis of the above mentioned problems and proposals: The Deputy Minister of Justice Ara Mkrtchyan said this during the extraordinary sitting of the NA Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs on December 4, presenting to the parliamentarians the draft law on Making Amendments and Addenda to the RA Criminal Code and the legislative package providing for amendments and addenda to the attached codes in the first reading.

The rapporteur noted that the draft was drawn up as a result of absolute consensus. Debates were held with all the concerned parties. Amendments are proposed in Articles 69, 73, 76 and 77 of the Criminal Code.

“Article 13 of the Criminal Procedure Code lacks grounds for terminating the criminal proceedings, those who apply it perform the action on the basis of analogy. As a result of the amendment, the problem will be eliminated, the situation will be corrected,” Ara Mkrtchyan said.

“A new special proceeding will be provided for minor crimes” the Deputy Minister of Justice mentioned and considered the initiative important.

The MPs asked questions to the Deputy Minister regarding the refusal to accept the proceedings, the punishments for falsifying evidence, delays in the trial.

The co-rapporteur of the draft, the deputy Arpine Davoyan informed that the draft has a great background: It has been debated quite long and in many ways and called on her colleagues to vote for the package of drafts.

The Committee endorsed the legislative initiative.