Yesterday, RA President Serzh Sargsyan announced the formation of an “ethics committee” comprised of high-level government officials tasked with monitoring the incomes and property holdings of some 500 government officials.

Named to head the committee is Deputy Justice Minister Emil Babayan.

The newly formed committee will also deal with questions of ethics that arise in the daily course of government processes.

President Sargsyan announced that similar committees will be launched in all government departments.

Naturally, suspicions will arise as to how effective or probing the committee will actually be, given that it is comprised of handpicked government functionaries.

It’s reminds one of the oxymoron – the fox is guarding the chicken coop.