Illegal Assets Worth Over 50 Million Dram to Be Confiscated

The National Assembly is discussing the bill on amendments to the law on the confiscation of property of illegal origin during its second reading. Justice Minister Rustam Badasyan presented the bill, mentioning that for years, international partners have urged Armenia to implement mechanisms that would make certain previously confidential information regarding corruption-related crimes more accessible than it is now.

The Anti-Corruption Commission will also gain access to such information. International organizations have called for the implementation of all tools that serve as effective mechanisms in combating corruption.

“What have the previous governments of Armenia and parliamentary majorities done—obviously, nothing. You accused the parliamentary majority yesterday of continuing the same position as the previous majority context. What is the parliamentary opposition occupied with now, why do they not want all effective instruments against corruption to be implemented?” Badasyan posed.

He presented the changes made from the first to the second reading. A change was made regarding the threshold for illegal assets, raising it from 25 million to 50 million dram. “This is to exclude the possibility that any overseas workers might be subjected to this law,” he stated.

There have also been changes in the protection of individuals acquiring illegal property. According to the minister, the burden of proof regarding the good faith of the property acquirer has shifted to the competent authority. This means that if the state claims that an individual is not a good faith acquirer, the burden of proof will lie with the state.

Individuals who are transferred such property as compensation for damages or as alimony are exempt from the obligation to return that property, regardless of the circumstances of its origin. Changes have also been made regarding the time frame under review, stating that the period to be examined should include a maximum of 10 years preceding the present, while in exceptional cases, it might be longer, but limited to the period after 1991.