48 Individuals Charged with Being 'Zone Watchers' and 'Thieves in Law', 25 Prosecuted

The fight against crimes characteristic of the criminal subculture, which pose a significant public danger, continues in a systematic manner through cooperation between the Armenian Prosecutor's Office and other law enforcement agencies.

As part of this struggle, operational and investigative activities have been carried out under the continuous oversight of the prosecutor's office. This has led to the discovery of activities by a 'criminal authority', known as a 'thief in law' or 'zone watcher', regarding the leadership of criminal subculture groups. These individuals are accused of engaging in actions aimed at achieving the goals of their group, particularly concerning resolving private disputes or issues by exerting illegal influence, obtaining unlawful benefits, and ensuring relevant treatment for those who violate rules established and recognized by the criminal subculture.

According to a summary from the Public Safety Crimes Department of the Armenian Prosecutor's Office, a total of 25 criminal cases have been initiated within the timeframe until October 1 under the provisions of Articles 223.1-223.4 of the Armenian Criminal Code, with various combinations of these articles. One of the cases has been suspended, while a decision has been made to discontinue proceedings in seven cases due to the absence of a criminal composition. Investigations continue in 11 criminal cases, with six criminal cases concerning 25 individuals already sent to court with an accusatory conclusion.

A total of 48 individuals have been implicated as defendants in the examined criminal cases, five of whom held the status of a 'thief in law'. Of the accused, 17 have been remanded in custody, 2 were granted bail, 21 are subject to travel restrictions, and no measures have been applied to the others as they were either in custody for other cases or imprisoned.

All six criminal cases sent to court are currently in the judicial examination phase. Among the 25 individuals charged with criminal subculture offenses, 6 have been remanded in custody, and 4 held the status of a criminal hierarchy member, including 3 classified as 'thieves in law'.

In light of the evidently negative and criminal influence of this phenomenon on public life and relations, all necessary measures are being systematically undertaken by law enforcement authorities to eliminate these influences, uncover potential criminal manifestations related to the criminal subculture, delineate the involved individuals, and hold them accountable for their actions.