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The government approved the legislation on making amendments to the RA Criminal Code that criminalizes the illicit enrichment. The legislative initiative was brought by Minister of Justice Arpine Hovhannisyan. The new 310.1 article of the RA Criminal Code will provide definition for the criminal offence of illicit enrichment.

"Illicit enrichment" means significant increase in the assets of a public official or any other person as set out by the law and reflected in the declaration of his/her revenues that exceeds his/her legitimate income and which the official cannot reasonably explain in relation to his or her income.

It is envisaged that the legislative change will enter into force from July 1, 2017 and refers to those who have the obligation of submitting the declaration of his/her revenues by the procedure defined in the Law on Public Service. The draft legislation targets high ranking officials as well as people affiliated with them (parent, spouse, adult unmarried children living with them). 

The government suggests criminalizing the illicit enrichment punishable with 3-6 years of imprisonment.

To note, the criminalization of illicit enrichment is adopted in the frames of combating corruption and will not be retroactive. The draft legislation will be sent to the National assembly after the cabinet adoption.