‘Zhoghovurd’. Serious Fight Against Criminal Subculture

‘Zhoghovurd’ newspaper reports that the Armenian authorities have seriously engaged in the fight against crimes related to criminal subculture. To study the experience of Georgia, Rafael Vardanyan, the head of the Special Assignments, Organizational-Analytical, and Forensic Department of the RA Investigative Committee, will be on a business trip to Georgia (Tbilisi) from February 23-26.

This concerns a draft law regarding groups and individuals characterized by a criminal subculture, known as ‘thieves in law’. Notably, this package of drafts was approved by the parliament with 73 votes in favor, 20 against, and 15 abstentions.

It should be noted that although RA President Armen Sarkissian signed the package of laws aimed at making amendments and additions to the RA Criminal Code and the RA Criminal Procedure Code, he sent a message to the authorities and the judicial system emphasizing that the practical application of the concepts outlined in the law should be executed with utmost responsibility.

Additionally, it is reported that the fight against ‘thieves in law’ has also been studied by the deputies of the “My Step” faction in the National Assembly. Whether studying the Georgian experience is sufficient in the battle against those connected to the criminal world will be shown by time, but the law enforcement bodies are currently combating criminal subculture merely by “catch and release.”

For more details, refer to today’s newspaper issue.