The Rise of Crime Rates in Armenia's Provinces: Theft, Drugs, and Serious Offenses

The number of registered crimes in the provinces of Ararat, Armavir, Syunik, and Vayots Dzor has increased compared to the previous year. This information was reported by the press service of the Republic of Armenia's Prosecutor General, noting that on February 21 and 23, the results of activities for 2022 were summarized under the leadership of Deputy Prosecutor General Arthur Poghosyan in the prosecutors' offices of Armavir and Vayots Dzor.

Armavir Province Prosecutor Vahan Sargsyan reported that the number of registered crimes in the region has increased by 310, reaching a total of 2,161 (compared to 1,851 cases in 2021). "Crimes against property have decreased by 38, totaling 702, while the number of burglaries has increased by 5, totaling 71. The number of illegal drug trafficking cases in the region increased by 80, reaching 234 (154 cases in 2021)," the statement said.

It is noted that the instances of robbery, personal property theft, and burglaries have decreased. There has also been a decline in the detection of corruption-related crimes.

Prosecutor Arthur Poghosyan was also in Vayots Dzor, where the province's prosecutor Aspurak Avetisyan reported that crimes in the region have increased compared to the previous year, with 422 recorded cases (303 cases in 2021). "The number of medium severity crimes has increased by 102, totaling 172 (70 cases in 2021), while the number of serious crimes has risen by 2, reaching 45 (43 cases in 2021). Last year, the number of burglaries in the region also increased by 2, while personal property thefts, fraud, embezzlement, or misappropriation cases decreased. In 2022, there has been an increase in illegal drug trafficking cases, including instances of distribution, illegal arms circulation, and hooliganism," the prosecutor's office noted.

Poghosyan instructed the prosecutors in the provinces to eliminate instances of non-appearance at court hearings without valid reasons and to keep on the agenda criminal proceedings that have been ongoing for over 8 months and their causes for delay.

Another Deputy Prosecutor General, Gevorg Baghdasaryan, visited the Ararat and Syunik provinces on February 16 and 17, where the results of the prosecutors' offices for 2022 have also been summarized.

According to Ararat Province Prosecutor Rafael Manukyan, there were 2,167 recorded crimes in the region in 2022 (compared to 1,922 cases in 2021). There were also 2 recorded murder cases in Ararat (7 cases in 2021). The prosecutor noted that crimes against property have decreased. "In 2022, there were 808 recorded cases (815 cases in 2021). Instances of robbery and theft have decreased, but the number of burglaries has increased by 21, totaling 76 (55 cases in 2021). The number of illegal drug trafficking cases in the region rose to 83 (77 cases in 2021)."

Syunik Province Prosecutor Masis Poghosyan reported that there were 977 recorded crimes in the region in 2022 (896 cases in 2021). The number of particularly serious crimes increased by 45, totaling 206 (161 cases in 2021), while medium severity cases totaled 299 (213 cases in 2021). There were 323 cases of crimes against property recorded (317 cases in 2021). The number of burglaries has increased, while instances of fraud, robbery, and theft have decreased. Poghosyan noted that there were 24 illegal drug trafficking cases recorded in 2022 (32 cases in 2021), including 10 distribution cases.