Transparency International Anti-Corruption Center

See Map of election violations recorded by “Citizen Observer” Initiative on TIAC website See Map of election violations recorded by “Citizen Observer” Initiative on TIAC website See Map of election violations recorded by “Citizen Observer” Initiative on TIAC website

TIAC presents conflict of interest situation in a press conference

Based on its Charter, Transparency International Anti-corruption Center (TIAC) periodically files applications to Ethics Commission for High Ranking Officials or RA National Assembly’s Interim Committee on Ethics to examine if there is conflict of interest situation by officials or if they meet ethical norms. During a press conference held in "Varkats" Club on May 21, 2013, Heriknaz Tigranyan, TIAC Legal Expert addressed TIAC’s subsequent application to Ethics Commission for High Ranking Officials to find out within its jurisdiction entrepreneurial activities "controlled" by Government-affiliated State Revenue Committee Head Gagik Khachatryan, as well as the Commission conclusion and legislative gaps. It was the first time that Ethics Commission expressed in its conclusion willingness to make legislative amendments.

Businesses of the relatives of State Revenue Committee Head

In an interview to "Aravot" daily Varuzhan Hoktanyan, Executive Director of Transparency International Anti-corruption Center (TIAC) reflected on the reply to TIAC application addressed to Ethics Commission for High Ranking Officials for checking allegation on Government-affiliated State Revenue Committee Head Gagik Khachatryan’s engagement in entrepreneurial activities or conflict of interest situation in fulfilling his official duties as government office holder.

Ethics Commission for High Ranking Officials replied

Proceedings initiated by Ethics Commission for High Ranking Officials based on the application of Transparency International Anti-corruption Center ended on May 3, 2013. It referred to checking allegation on Government-affiliated State Revenue Committee Head Gagik Khachatryan’s engagement in entrepreneurial activities or conflict of interest situation in fulfilling his official duties as government office holder. The Commission made a decision confirming a conclusion that as a result of examination, it had not found anything mentioned in the application to substantiate the allegations that Gagik Khachatryan, the Head of State Revenue Committee was in conflict of interest situation regarding the mentioned companies.

Barev Yerevan bloc and Armenian National Congress applied to Administrative Court

On May 10, 2013 "Citizen Observer" Initiative, comprising "Transparency International Anti-corruption Center," "Europe in Law Association," ""Asparez" Journalists’ Club," "Helsinki Citizens’ Assembly Vanadzor Office," non governmental organizations and scores of Diaspora Armenians and civic activists, disseminated a press release addressed to political parties. It informed that "Citizen Observer" Initiative was ready to provide data on election violations it observed to all interested political parties to appeal the electoral process.

Statement

Headed by the former Prime Minister, the "new" government of the Republic of Armenia was formed by the Decrees of the President of Armenia of May 8, 2013. The present government comprises only three new Ministers. Reappointment of the former head of government and the majority of government members by RA President Sargsyan implies that the head of the state assessed their work positively and was satisfied with the situation in the government departments they ran, considering them worthy to be reappointed in their offices.

"The Crossroads of Views" program hosts Sona Ayvazyan

On May 11, 2013 Sona Ayvazyan, Deputy Director of Transparency International Anti-corruption Center took part in "The Crossroads of Views" program by Radio Liberty. Emin Yeritsyan, Head of the Armenian Delegation to the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities of the Council of Europe and President of the Association of Municipalities of Armenia was another guest of the program. They addressed and gave assessments to Yerevan City Council Elections, held on May 5, 2013. Even after the recount the situation recorded on the election day was not changed. The guests on the program answered why the elections failed to get positive assessment.

Final Report on Presidential Election in Armenia released

OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights released its Final Report on Presidential Election in Armenia held on February 18, 2013, where it voiced a number of issues concerning civil society. For instance, an OSCE/ODIHR EOM analysis of final results as published by the CEC shows a close correlation between the voter turnout and the number of votes for the incumbent, with PECs with above-average turnout also having a higher share of votes for the incumbent.