Ombudsman reacts to complaints about Traffic Police fines

The Office of Armenian Ombudsman (Human Rights Defender) received complaints from numerous Armenian citizens whose bank accounts were unexpectedly frozen, according to the press service of the Office.

Citizens informed Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan that prior to the freezing of their bank accounts by the Judicial Acts Compulsory Enforcement Service (JACES), they did not receive any notices about traffic violations and fines imposed by the Traffic Police.

Very often people are unaware of fines because they are not informed in due form or because their old or incorrect addresses were included in the register of the Traffic Police. Notices sent to such addresses are nevertheless considered valid.

The administrative act is simultaneously sent to JACES before freezing of the bank account.

Ombudsman Karen Andreasyan said he will take measures to close that legislative gap. He called upon the police to duly notify citizens of administrative fines. He also advises citizens to be careful about fine payment and the term of appeal.