G. Jhangiryan: “Authorities sent message to public”
The bill on ‘Legal Regime of Emergency Situation' conflicts with the Armenian Constitution and aims to intimidate the public before the elections, member of the opposition Armenian National Congress (HAK) Gagik Jhangiryan told journalists on Friday.
Citing the relevant articles of the Organic Law and the law on ‘Defense Ministry,' the former military prosecutor said they are quite exhaustive, while the controversial law on ‘Legal Regime of Emergency Situation' suggests intervention of armed forces during emergency situations. Mr Jhangiryan stressed that armed forces could interfere in domestic politics by the order of the country's president, especially when there is a threat of war.
"Before that the president must declare a martial law. As you see, there is no mention about an emergency situation regime here," he said.
The HAK senior official says the hasty adoption of the bill was a message to the public ahead of the May 6 parliamentary elections.
"They wanted to warn people against complaining of injustices," he said.
