YEREVAN. – Armenian Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan considers Ombudsman’s report on corruption in judiciary “event of the year”.

The report presented by Karen Andreasyan earlier this month contained precise information about bribes in judicial system.

Minister Tovmasyan said he himself had repeatedly criticized justice system without bringing any concrete examples. Tovmasyan noted that 80 percent of Armenian citizens have no confidence in justice system, but almost all they are ready to give bribe to the judges. As a result, the report only deteriorated the situation, Minister added.

He believed an effective system of retraining judges is needed.

“We need X-rays to identify whether the person is righteous or not. With the absence of this quality, neither knowledge, nor attempts to show him another approach will help,” he assured.

Tovmasyan said he personally would not write such a report, explaining that it resembles a hedgehog as “it is bad for everyone.”

“But I want to believe that this is the report of a concerned man,” Tovmasyan added.