On May 13, 2003, the “Achilles” Center for Protection of Drivers’ Rights NGO addressed RA Prime Minister Andranik Margaryan, seeking clarification on the legal basis for the replacement of license plates during vehicle re-registration. On August 26 of the same year, the organization received a response from I. Ishkhanyan, states that, under Article 5 of the RA Constitution, state bodies and officials are authorized to act only within the scope defined by legislation. Referring to the RA Law “On Police” and other legislative acts, Ishkhanyan asserted that the Police lacked the authority to provide information as requested by the organization.
Subsequently, on October 20, 2003, “Achilles” NGO applied to the Court of First Instance of Yerevan’s Kentron and Nork-Marash districts, urging the defendant, the RA Police, to provide the requested information in writing and to reimburse AMD 3,000 in state duty to “Achilles” NGO.
On November 28, 2003, the head of the State Car Inspection Department of the Police presented objections to the court, deeming the demands of the “Achilles” NGO unfounded. In particular, Ishkhanyan argued that the Police could not furnish the required information due to the absence of the procedure outlined by the RA Government according to Article 10 “On Internal Affairs”
Finally, on December 15, 2003, the Court of First Instance of the Kentron and Nork-Marash communities of Yerevan (Judge G. Karakhanyan) rejected the claim of the “Achilles” organization against the RA Police. The court reasoned that, according to Article 5 of the RA Constitution, the RA Police does not possess the authority to provide information to public organizations.
