Statement from the State Oversight Service on Osipyan's Remarks

The Chief of Police of Armenia, Valeri Osipyan, conducted a press briefing today, May 23, at the government, where he delivered his legal analysis within a rather narrow legal context. This information has been communicated by the State Oversight Service's press office.

“The State Oversight Service of Armenia, addressing the comments of Police Chief Valeri Osipyan following today's government meeting regarding the results of studies conducted by the State Oversight Service within the Police, finds it necessary to emphasize:

Although the police chief, in his press briefing, listed a sequence of actions that should be maintained during the service's studies while interpreting the law on the State Oversight Service, he did not take into account an important principle derived from Armenia's criminal policy. This principle states that any information containing indications of apparent criminal activity must be verified through criminal procedural means, implying that the State Oversight Service is obliged to provide any such information it discovers during its oversight functions to law enforcement authorities.

This allows us to conclude that the police chief has conducted his legal analysis within a rather narrow legal context, considering only the law on the State Oversight Service, resulting in unprofessional positions during his press briefing.

Furthermore, rather than comprehensively studying the legal aspects of the matter, the police chief has reserved the right to make allegations that are unfounded and inappropriate for a public official.

At the same time, the State Oversight Service urges being more circumspect in expressing opinions regarding representatives of bodies ensuring the oversight function of the Prime Minister and to refrain from making unfounded assessments.

It should also be noted that the results of the questioned study have already been summarized and will be presented to the Special Investigative Committee of Armenia tomorrow,” states the response from the State Oversight Service.

It is recalled that Valeri Osipyan stated during the government press briefing that the statement from the State Oversight Service was of a populist nature.