President introduced the new Head of the RA Special Investigation Service (SIS) Vahram Shahinian to the SIS staff members

President Serzh Sargsyan visited today the RA Special Investigation Service. The President introduced to the staff members of the Service the new Head of the SIS, who was recently appointed to that position by the Presidential decree. The President spoke also of the reasons for relieving the former Head of the Service Andranik Mirzoyan of his duties and tasks set before the Service.

“The occasion for dismissing Mirzoyan was an illicit action regarding one particular criminal case; however the reason was different. The reason for the dismissal was the fact that Andranik Mirzoyan was not able to fulfill the task before him, and the task I set before Mr. Mirzoyan was to exercise the utmost efforts in the strenuous mission of making the Special Investigation Service an accomplished structure. The Special Investigation Service should have established itself as an institutionally independent and autonomous participant in the process of carrying out criminal justice. Unfortunately, up until now it hasn’t been the case. This is the Service which must exclusively employ people who are dedicated to their work, are professional and objective to the maximum possible extend. This Service cannot be a stooge,” the President of Armenia underscored.

Serzh Sargsyan noted that speaking about the law enforcement bodies, he is well aware of the fact that the staff of the Special Investigation Service is in a particularly difficult situation since in many instances they have to conduct criminal cases which involve their colleagues. However on the other side, according to the President, they have to realize that they fulfill their calling and those who are not ready for that should not stay on the force. “Here we need people, professionals who are ready to face the truth and when confronted with the fact that their colleagues, friends and family members with their actions obstruct the normal functioning of our state structures, they have to take appropriate steps,” the President of Armenia said.

Speaking about certain achievements registered by the SIS during the five years of work, the President stressed the importance of constantly upgrading the working abilities and professional skills of those engaged in the prejudicial inquiry.

Serzh Sargsyan expressed confidence that under the leadership of the newly appointed Head of the RA Special Investigation Service Vahram Sahinian, the Service in a brief period of time will for good and all become an accomplished structure and assured that in the process Mr. Shahinian and every employee of the Service, who is true to his calling, may expect support from the President and the government of Armenia.