Introducing new Armenian Minister of Justice Rustam Badasyan to the ministry staff, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan made it clear that he expected Badasyan to achieve the reforms the judiciary sorely needs.

“It is very important that the justice minister takes control of the situation and effectively achieves the political messages emanating from the government,” Pashinyan said.

The government has been criticized of late for the slow pace of essential reforms in the judicial sector.

Pashinyan, according to a government press release, described Badasyan, who had been serving as the Deputy President of the State Revenue Committee, as an “intellectual and responsible person with great professional capabilities”.

Badasyan thanked Pashinyan for trusting him with such a great responsibility and also thanked his predecessor, Artak Zeynalyan, for his work.

It’s believed that Zeynalyan was pressured to resign due to mounting criticism of the country’s judiciary and the slow pace of reforms.

“I’m motivated to work in a positive fashion with all to achieve our objectives,” Badasyan said.