Arayik Papikyan: There is no alternative but having amnesty as soon as possible (video)
Lawyer Arayik Papikyan told journalists today that more than 8 billion drams are provided for the maintenance of penitentiary institutions from the 2018 budget. Almost as much money is envisaged for the maintenance of the judicial power. According to him, there were about 5 thousand people in Armenia's penitentiary institutions as of last year. "Almost the same amount of money is required for the maintenance of one branch of the government, as it is for penitentiary institutions. The reason for this absurd situation is that we have too many convicts or detainees." The lawyer reminds that no amnesty decision has been made in Armenia for 5 years. "Under current conditions, amnesty will also be in line with the creation of a revolutionary atmosphere of solidarity. We must not forget that amnesty may also extend to criminal cases on crimes committed by the former regime, which has been heard in post-revolutionary Armenia. " According to Arayik Papikyan, the decision on amnesty must be until September 21. "There is no alternative but having amnesty as soon as possible."
