On June 29, it was announced that the three already former judges of the Constitutional Court (Alvina Gyulumyan, Felix Tokhyan and Hrant Nazaryan) and the already former President of the Constitutional Court Hrayr Tovmasyan have applied to the European Court of Human Rights following the amendments to the Law on the Constitutional Court of Armenia. According to Armlur.am, the Armenian government has received a questionnaire from the ECHR to provide information about the judges so that they can announce a decision.

Armlur.am talked to Representative of Armenia before the ECHR Yeghishe Kirakosyan to find out if the news is accurate and what the government plans to do.

Armlur.am: Mr. Kirakosyan, based on our information, the ECHR has sent the Government of Armenia a questionnaire about the three already former judges of the Constitutional Court (Alvina Gyulumyan, Felix Tokhyan and Hrant Nazaryan) and the already former President of the Constitutional Court Hrayr Tovmasyan. How accurate is this information?

Yeghishe Kirakosyan: Yes, the government has received the questionnaire. The three former judges and the former President of the Constitutional Court have submitted a complaint claiming that their rights have been violated and have made a reference to a particular article of the Convention. The Court has addressed the Armenian government with questions and will make a decision after receiving answers. There is also a deadline for responding to the questions.

Armlur.am: What facts does the government have and what positive and negative effect will the response have on Armenia?

Yeghishe Kirakosyan: The Armenian government objects the arguments and the fact that it doesn’t accept application of an interim measure. We will obviously present to the Court our arguments and our legally substantiated position.