 Armenian courts rarely challenge the position of the president, government or law-enforcement officials.
Armenian law empowers courts to annul official election results and other decisions taken by election commissions. The outcome of the presidential and other nationwide votes can only be overturned by the Constitutional Court. The court caused a stir in 2003 when it effectively questioned the legitimacy of Kocharian's hotly disputed reelection by calling for a "referendum of confidence" in the president. Court rulings going against the wishes of the president, government and law-enforcement authorities have otherwise been rare.
The vast majority of Armenian judges were singled-handedly appointed by Kocharian. The president's authority to appoint and dismiss judges practically at will was significantly restricted by recently enacted amendments to the Armenian constitution. But legal experts believe that it will take years before those amendments can have a positive impact on judicial independence.
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