Out of 91 Victimized Minors, 35 Were Under 12 Years Old: Investigative Committee Details

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has summarized the overall legal progress regarding crimes committed against minors in the previous year. According to the report, a total of 1,159 criminal proceedings related to crimes against minors were under investigation by the Committee in 2023, in comparison to 545 cases from the previous year. This marks a 112 percent increase in reported crimes or cases with apparent criminal elements over the course of a year.

Concurrently, the number of cases sent to the court has also increased. Out of the 1,159 criminal cases initiated in 2023, 78 were concluded with an accusatory finding, and 82 individuals were referred to the court (compared to 66 cases sent to court in 2022 involving 73 individuals).

Among the 82 accused individuals in the referred cases, 29, or 35%, were family members of the minor victims, 2 were guardians or custodians, and 1 was an employee of a healthcare institution. The remaining crimes were committed by other individuals.

The cases sent to court included:
• 1 case of murder,
• 7 cases causing various degrees of bodily harm,
• 4 cases of abduction,
• 1 case of illegal deprivation of liberty,
• 10 cases of physical influence,
• 14 cases of sexual acts,
• 1 case involving the sale of a child for the purpose of adoption or custody,
• 40 cases of other types of crimes.

A total of 91 minors were recognized as victims in the cases sent to court. Of these victims:
• 35 were under 12 years old,
• 17 were between 12 and 14 years old,
• 19 were between 14 and 16 years old,
• 20 were between 16 and 18 years old.

Throughout 2023, 522 criminal cases were terminated, with 450 being rehabilitative, 71 non-rehabilitative, and 1 for other reasons. Procedural and evidentiary actions were concluded in 151 cases, 9 criminal proceedings were sent for jurisdiction, and 36 cases were consolidated. The examination of 363 cases has been postponed to 2024.

The legal protection of the child’s legitimate interests is an absolute priority for the Investigative Committee of Armenia. The impartial and comprehensive investigation of crimes committed against minors, as well as the prevention of criminal assaults against them, remains at the forefront of the Committee’s attention.