The Armenian National Assembly today debated a government bill to facilitate the use of bail, rather than detention, as a preventive measure in court cases.

 "The idea is to make bail a separate form of restraint and in practice exclude the use of a custodial restraint as much as possible,” Justice Minister Rustam Badasyan said when introducing the bill.

Bright Armenia faction head Edmon Marukyan raised the issue of corruption risks.

Marukyan said that he is aware of many cases where the rich spend their detention in hospitals, while the poor remain in detention centers.

Marukyan added that those with deep pockets will pay their bail, while the poor will remain in detention.

Badasyan replied that all those in need of medical care would receive such care regardless of their ability to pay.

Prosperous Armenia MP Naira Zohrabyan said that detention is often applied unnecessarily.

 "I am convinced that in the case of economic crimes it makes no sense. We lock a person between four walls. The victims derive no benefit from this, and we can’t say what changes the person imprisoned in the penitentiary will undergo when released,” Zohrabyan said.

Top photo (from left): MP Edmon Marukyan, Minister Rustam Badasyan