Crime in Armenia

Armenian police in the capital Yerevan.

Crime in Armenia is multi-dimensional. It includes murder, tax evasion, corruption, extortion, money laundering, police brutality, organized crime, and clan or gang violence.

In 2017 there were 20 284 criminal cases registered in Armenia, up from 18 764 in 2016.[1]

Crime by type

Murder

In 2017 there were 49 cases of murder in Armenia (about 1.6 per 100,000 population), down from 66 in 2016.[1] Total of 409 persons died because of various criminal cases (down from 424 in 2016), including 202 cases of death because of crime leading to road accident.[1]

In 2012, Armenia had a murder rate of 1.8 per 100,000 population.[2] There were a total of 54 murders in Armenia in 2012.[2]

Organised crime

Organized crime permeates the Armenian economy. In Yerevan there are organized, criminal clans known as "akhperutyuns" (Armenian: ախբերություն, or brotherhoods). They assert their power through their position and connections. The various factions sometimes battle for rights over their "turf". The origins of akhperutyuns are criminal law and the tradition of Armenian family life (ojakh). Members are guided by the underworld laws brought from Russian prisons.[3]

Corruption

In 2017 634 corruption related criminal cases were registered, which led to criminal persecution of 376 persons.[1]

The United Nations Development Programme in Armenia views corruption in Armenia as "a serious challenge to its development".[4]

Domestic violence

A 2008 study by Amnesty International stated more than a quarter of women in Armenia "have faced physical violence at the hands of husbands or other family members."[5] Since reporting domestic violence is heavily stigmatized in Armenian society, many of these women have no choice but to remain in abusive situations.[5]

Environment protection

In 2017 there were 885 cases of breaches of legislation on environment protection leading to total 3346 million AMD compensation demands.[1]

By location

In 2017 there were 10219 criminal cases registered in Yerevan, about the half of all 20284 criminal cases in Armenia in 2017.[1]

See also

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Criminal statistics for 2017 by ArmStat" (PDF).
  2. 1 2 Global Study on Homicide. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2013.
  3. ↑ Ishkhanyan, Vahan (March 3, 2006). "Mean Streets: A rare look at Armenia's Capital clans". ArmeniaNow. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
  4. ↑ "Strengthening Cooperation between the National Assembly, Civil Society and the Media in the Fight Against Corruption", Speech by Ms. Consuelo Vidal, (UN RC / UNDP RR), April 6, 2006.
  5. 1 2 There’s no pride in silence: domestic and sexual violence against women in Armenia, Amnesty International, November 13, 2008
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