Environmental Offences in Armenia: A Comprehensive Overview
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Regulatory Provisions and Authorities Responsible for Investigating Environmental Offences
In Armenia, environmental offences are regulated by several key provisions, including:
Key Legal Acts
- Mining Code
- Law on Evaluation of the Influence on Environment
- Water Code
These legal acts provide measures and requirements regarding mining, appointing experts to evaluate the influence on environment, using water resources or carrying out recultivation works.
However, the authorities responsible for investigating environmental offences are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text.
Specific Offences Relating to the Environment
The Criminal Code provides for the following environmental crimes:
- Breach of environmental safety rules when implementing work
- Wilful distortion or concealing information on environmental pollution
- Failure to take measures to eliminate the consequences of environmental pollution
- Breach of safety rules when handling dangerous chemical and biological materials and waste
- Breach of safety rules for handling chemical or bacteriological agents or poisonous materials
- Breach of established veterinary rules or rules against plant diseases and vermin
- Pollution of water
- Pollution of air
- Pollution of soil
- Breach of rules for protection and use of soil
- Illegal tree and bush cutting
- Illegal harvesting of water flora and fauna
Defences or Exemptions Available
There are no specific defences or exceptions available in the context of environmental offences. However, general defences may be applicable.
Powers of Prosecution, Investigation, and Enforcement
The authorities responsible for powers of prosecution, investigation, and enforcement are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. However, see Question 4 (not provided in the text) for further information.
Decision to Charge and Alternative Methods of Disposal
The authority responsible for making the decision to charge is not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. See Question 5 (not provided in the text) for further information on alternative methods of disposal and their conditions.
Penalties for Environmental Offences
There are no specific sanctions for environmental offences, but the sanctions can vary from fine to imprisonment according to the Criminal Code.
Safeguarding Conduct of Investigations and Processes of Appeal and Judicial Review
The processes of appeal and judicial review are not explicitly mentioned in the provided text. See Question 7 (not provided in the text) for further information on safeguarding the conduct of investigations and these processes.