YEREVAN. – The bill on the Legal Regime of the State of Emergency, which the Armenian National Assembly had passed in the first hearing, was recalled by the Government and it has undergone changes, Justice Minister Hrayr Tovmasyan stated during Thursday’s Governmental session. 

And the key change refers to using of the Armed Forces during a state of emergency. As per the Minister, two important changes were made in the bill. First, the Armed Forces may be involved in a state of emergency solely after undergoing a special training.  

And second, it has been clearly specified as to for which objectives and against which forces the Armed Forces can be made use of. According to the Justice Minister, the army’s contact with the general public will be ruled out. “A straitjacket will be imposed for using the Armed Forces during a state of emergency,” Hrayr Tovmasyan said.