Opposition lawmaker compliments Justice Minister during Parliamentary session

YEREVAN, DECEMBER 14, ARMENPRESS. During Parliamentary debates on the bill of criminalizing illicit enrichment, lawmaker Tigran Urikhanyan made several compliments to Justice Minister Arpine Hovhannisyan.

“World’s most charming minister Ms. Hovhannisyan”, Urikhanyan said while addressing the minister, which was followed by bursting laughter in the session hall. In response, Hovhannisyan jokingly said: “You are going to ask a bad question, that’s why you start with a good preamble?”

Afterwards the lawmaker went on with his question. He mentioned he had taken part in a discussion on ungrounded enrichment. He emphasized that the term “illicit enrichment” is incorrect, since if the enrichment has been illicit, it anyhow implies criminal liability.

“If we are solving an issue of joining a corresponding convention of the UN, then say it, let’s pass it and move forward, but if we want to solve a problem with this, then we must make ungrounded enrichment subject to investigation, because if we say “illicit”, then it already implies criminal responsibility, because the given individual has gained wealth illegally”, he said.

Justice Minister Hovhannisyan responded to the lawmaker saying the “ungrounded enrichment” term is not used anywhere. “The term “illicit enrichment” is used in all countries. If you look closely at the formulation of the criminal offense, you’ll see that this initiative is about the same thing what you are talking about. There is no issue of joining the Convention, we have joined that Convention a long time ago and have ratified it. We are regulating the thing which you are talking about under this initiative”, she said.

Afterwards, deputy speaker Eduard Sharmazanov asked the MP: “Is it OK Mr. Urikhanyan, or would you like to ask another question to the charming minister?”

“It is wonderful when beauty is accompanied by high intellect”, Urikhanyan responded, and added that he meant the law enforcement should work more actively, with a “drive” and catch illegally enriched individuals.