Armenian president: Mirzoyan failed to do task set before him

President Serzh Sargsyan today went to the Special Investigation Service of Armenia where he introduced the new head of the Service, Vahram Shahinian, to the staff. According to the presidential press service, Serzh Sargsyan informed the employees of SIS about the reasons for dismissing the former head Andranik Mirzoyan.

“The illegalities related to a criminal case became the cause of Mirzoyan’s dismissal, but the reasons were different. The reason is that Andranik Mirzoyan failed to do the task set before him. I had set the task of doing everything possible for the establishment of the Special Investigation Service. The Special Investigation Service should be established as an institutionally independent participant in administering criminal justice. Unfortunately, it has not yet happened. The Special Investigation Service should be composed of highly dedicated, independent, well-qualified and objectively thinking people. It should not be an executor of someone’s will,” the president said.

In his words, when speaking about law enforcement agencies, he understands that employees of the Special Investigation Service are in a most awkward position because in many cases, they have to investigate criminal cases, in which their colleagues are involved. On the other hand, according to the president, they should understand that it is their calling, while those who are not prepared for this should not work in the system.

“People, experts ready to face the truth are needed here, and if they notice that the actions of their colleagues, relatives, or friends hinder the course of our country and government bodies, they must take measures,” S. Sargsyan noted.

He underlined the importance of improving professional knowledge and skills of employees of the preliminary investigation body. The president expressed confidence that under the direction of the new head Vahram Shahinian, the Special Investigation Service will become an efficient establishment soon. According to S. Sargsyan, Vahram Shahinian and any employee of the SIS may count on assistance of the president and government.