Armenia Intensifies Crackdown on Organized Crime and "Thief-in-Law" Subculture

Armenia is reinforcing its crime prevention measures. According to Acting Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Armen Mkrtchyan, law enforcement is now placing special emphasis on eliminating the root causes of criminal behavior rather than just addressing the symptoms.

Combating the Criminal Subculture

The behavioral codes associated with so-called "thieves-in-law"—a strict criminal syndicate hierarchy originating in the Soviet prison system—have been strictly outlawed in Armenia as part of a broader anti-mafia campaign. Mkrtchyan noted that preventing the spread of this criminal subculture remains a crucial pillar of the government's agenda.

"The criminal subculture remains a significant challenge, and the need for an uncompromising fight against it is absolute," Mkrtchyan stated, as reported by Armenpress.

He emphasized that alongside the state's firm stance, extensive public outreach is necessary to foster a zero-tolerance attitude toward organized crime within Armenian society.

A New Strategy for Crime Prevention

According to the acting deputy minister, the roots of criminal behavior are deeply tied to educational, social, and healthcare issues. While the police play a decisive role, he noted that the law enforcement system alone cannot completely overcome these multifaceted challenges.

To address this comprehensively, a new "Crime Prevention Strategy" has been drafted. The document is currently in its final stages and will soon be submitted to the Armenian Government for official approval.

Data-Driven and Technological Solutions

The Ministry of Internal Affairs also aims to modernize its intelligence-gathering operations and equip law enforcement with cutting-edge tools. As part of this initiative, a new Center for Crime Statistics and Research has been established.

The core functions of this newly formed center include:

• Generating real-time crime data,
• Providing accurate assessments of criminal trends,
• Utilizing artificial intelligence tools to forecast and prevent future criminal activity.

The Push for Constitutional Reform

This crackdown aligns with a statement made earlier this year by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The Prime Minister argued that the adoption of a new constitution is a vital prerequisite for conducting a truly effective and lasting campaign against ingrained criminal subcultures in the country.