The Number of Murders in Yerevan Has Increased, While Decreased in the Regions

According to reports from the Prosecutor General's Office, there has been an increase in crimes against individuals in Armenia in 2023, with a notable rise in murder cases. Specifically, the number of murders reached 1,187 in 2023, a significant increase from 542 in the previous year, representing an increase of 645 cases or 119.0 percent.

Of the recorded 1,187 murders, 1,132 cases (95.4 percent) were classified as sudden deaths, which were not accounted as criminal cases before July 1, 2022. Taking this into consideration, it can be stated that there has not been an actual increase in crimes against individuals in 2023; on the contrary, such crimes have decreased by 75 cases or 1.2 percent (6,081 in 2022 versus 6,006 in 2023).

Without including sudden deaths, the number of actual murders in 2023 was 55, down from 58 the previous year, indicating a decrease of 3 cases or 5.2 percent.

The annual report from the Prosecutor General's Office also notes that in Yerevan, the number of murders increased by 4 cases or 22.2 percent (from 18 in 2022 to 22 in 2023), while in the regions, it decreased by 7 cases or 17.5 percent (from 40 to 33).

Out of the 55 murders recorded in Armenia in 2023, 42 cases have been solved, while 13 remain unsolved, of which 7 are related to missing persons.