Price for insult
"The judicial system still has a long way to go before it becomes independent and the most important thing is the cadre policy," says attorney Ara Zohrabyan. According to him, Armenian judges are only de jure independent.
"The people are worthy of this government and lawyers are worthy of these kinds of prosecutors. However, there are also good and bad lawyers," said Zohrabyan.
The Chamber of Advocates today held a discussion on the recent campaign against the mass media, that is, when this or that official sues a certain media outlet and demands large sums for compensating moral damage and paying an attorney.
The board of the Chamber of Advocates also has a scientific-analytical center. After discussing the situation, the board set the prices that were reasonable for lawyers and is now preparing to present those prices to the chamber.
The center proposes to set a price of 300,000 drams for the demand for honor and dignity that has been hurt through insults and defamation. If the amount exceeds that price, it will not be viewed as reasonable.
"In any case, we must make sure freedom of speech develops and not try to intimidate journalists," says Ara Zohrabyan, adding that the attorney's payments make up a large portion in the compensation agreement and cause concerns to a certain extent.
What kinds of fines and sanctions will there be, if the attorney's amount exceeds 500,000 drams? In response, Zohrabyan said the board doesn't set limits on the contract between the attorney and the client.
"An attorney can take 10 million drams from the client and the board by no means interferes in that transaction. If the contract for 10 million is submitted to the court, the losing party will pay that amount as a reasonable amount for the service," says Ara Zohrabyan.
According to him, representing the presses are protesters and those providing services to the government.
"If the press providing services to the government insults someone, the same mechanism must be applied," said the attorney, adding that the chamber will be consistent and will try to achieve results.
