Crime in Armenia

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

Armenian police in the capital Yerevan.

In 2018 22,551 cases were recorded, 11.2% more than in 2017.[1]

In 2017 there were 20 284 criminal cases registered in Armenia, up from 18 764 in 2016.[2]

Crime by type

Murder
Further information: List of countries by intentional homicide rate

In 2018 with 38 cases Armenia recorded the lowest murder rate in 38-40 years.[3]

In 2017 there were 49 cases of murder in Armenia (about 1.6 per 100,000 population), down from 66 in 2016.[2] 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.[2]

In 2012, Armenia had a murder rate of 1.8 per 100,000 population.[4] There were a total of 54 murders in Armenia in 2012.[4]

Organized 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". Members are guided by the underworld laws brought from Russian prisons.[5]

Corruption
Main article: Corruption in Armenia

In 2017 634 corruption related criminal cases were registered, which led to criminal prosecutions of 376 persons.[2]

The United Nations Development Programme in Armenia views corruption in Armenia as "a serious challenge to its development".[6]

Domestic violence

A 2008 study by Amnesty International stated that more than a quarter of women in Armenia "have faced physical violence at the hands of husbands or other family members."[7] Since reporting domestic violence is heavily stigmatized in Armenian society, many of these women have no choice but to remain in abusive situations.[7]

Environment protection

In 2017, there were 885 cases of breaches of legislation on environment protection leading to total 3346 million AMD compensation demands.[2]

By location

In 2017 there were 10219 criminal cases registered in Yerevan representing about half of all 20284 criminal cases in Armenia in 2017.[2]

See also

Notes
  1. "Prosecutor General: Crimes in Armenia increased by 11.2% in 2018". news.am. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  2. "Criminal statistics for 2017 by ArmStat" (PDF).
  3. "Attorney General: Lowest murder rate recorded in Armenia last year". news.am. Retrieved 2019-05-02.
  4. Global Study on Homicide. United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, 2013.
  5. Ishkhanyan, Vahan (March 3, 2006). "Mean Streets: A rare look at Armenia's Capital clans". ArmeniaNow. Retrieved June 30, 2009.
  6. "Strengthening Cooperation between the National Assembly, Civil Society and the Media in the Fight Against Corruption" Archived 2006-05-02 at the Wayback Machine, Speech by Ms. Consuelo Vidal, (UN RC / UNDP RR), April 6, 2006.
  7. There’s no pride in silence: domestic and sexual violence against women in Armenia, Amnesty International, November 13, 2008
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