YEREVAN. – Investigative and operative-intelligence functions will be integrated into the Anticorruption Committee to be established. Armenia’s Minister of Justice Rustam Badasyan said this today at a public debate entitled, "An Anticorruption Committee is being created in Armenia: the problems of formation of the structure.”

According to the Minister, the introduction of the institute of detectives at some stage would be a better solution.

"We are taking the first step, having both investigative and operative-intelligence functions within the law enforcement body," Badasyan said. "This will contribute to the efficiency of the investigation of crimes."

He noted that the second component will be a new staff recruitment procedure through competition, and a new tool - the institute of incitement of corruption transaction - may be introduced within this anticorruption body.

"This means a tool may be introduced, not to institute criminal proceedings, but to constantly check the integrity of anticorruption staff when a corruption proposal is made,” Badasyan explained. “And if corruption risks arise as a result of that proposal, the matter of bringing that employee to disciplinary account, expelling from the anticorruption committee can be discussed.”

According to him, the list of selected participants will be presented to the Prime Minister so that the select the head of this anticorruption body.