Hovsepyan: Investigative Committee was set up to ensure independence

The need to form an independent investigative body arose in Armenian society long ago. All the investigative bodies were under departmental control, which raised concern about investigators’ independence, Chairman of Armenia’s Investigative Committee Aghvan Hovsepyan told journalists today.

“We are convinced that the problem of departmental influence will disappear after the creation of a single investigative agency,” Hovsepyan assured those present.

He urged them to wait two days, after which the names of his deputies will be announced. According to him, after the government approves the staff of the investigative bodies, the chairman of the Investigative Committee shall present the candidates for deputy chairmen within 5 days, and then the president will sign decrees about their appointment.

Ovsepyan stressed that they will make every effort to ensure investigators’ independence, which is the first goal on the road of creating an independent investigative agency.