Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has reaffirmed that the government’s political will to fight corruption remains unwavering, stating it “has not diminished and will not diminish.”
Speaking at an event marking the Anti-Corruption Committee employee day and the body’s 4th anniversary, Pashinyan said the committee’s formation is directly tied to the 2018 Velvet Revolution, emphasizing that anti-corruption efforts are a key element of the current political leadership’s identity.
“Initially, it seemed that political will was all that was needed to combat corruption effectively. But over time, we’ve realized that political will must also manifest through a concrete institution—and this led to the creation of the Anti-Corruption Committee,” the prime minister said.
Pashinyan highlighted the systemic complexity of fighting corruption in Armenia, citing widespread personal connections that can undermine investigations—from classmates and relatives to connections within the judiciary and law enforcement.
“When influence is exerted at multiple levels—investigative, prosecutorial, judicial—it becomes nearly impossible for a case to reach a conclusion. You see a series of reports, complaints, but nothing ever seems to come of them,” he remarked, adding that such an environment hampers real progress.
He also touched on the regional geopolitical context, noting its impact on law enforcement. He said political stability helps strengthen the work of legal institutions.
Referring to the appointment of Arthur Nahapetyan as head of the Anti-Corruption Committee, Pashinyan underlined the importance of his judicial background, which he believes will help ensure a legally balanced approach to cases coming out of the committee.
The prime minister acknowledged challenges posed by free speech and the pace of social media, stating that law enforcement is beginning to adapt and develop resilience against such pressure.
Addressing the issue of surveillance, Pashinyan clarified that Armenia has laws regulating operational-investigative activities, including the circumstances under which surveillance is permitted. “All democratic countries have such systems. The law clearly defines when and how operational work may be carried out,” he said.
He emphasized that the government is investing heavily in equipping Armenia’s operational agencies with the necessary technical capabilities.
“If law enforcement lacks technological tools, they can’t effectively counter crime—which itself is becoming increasingly tech-driven,” he stated.
Pashinyan also noted that investigative bodies are now pursuing cases with the strategy that even if witnesses later withdraw testimonies, the available evidence should be sufficient to ensure a lawful outcome.
In conclusion, he said the Anti-Corruption Committee is becoming increasingly active, with the necessary conditions in place for more effective action.
“This is one of our top priorities. We are making significant investments in preventing corruption. Our Anti-Corruption Committee now has the technical capacity to make potential offenders think twice before acting—that’s our goal: to prevent corruption through our policies,” Pashinyan concluded.
