Armenia sees sharp rise in crime rates

Armenia's Statistical Committee has published indicators of offences and crimes registered for January-June 2023, which prove that the country has registered a significant increase in almost all types of crimes compared to last year.

Caliber.Az reports citing Hraparak newspaper that according to the report, 2,780 crimes were registered this year instead of last year's 2,248 cases, especially in serious crimes. The number of murders increased from 22 to 574, and sexual crimes - from 37 to 80, of which rape increased by 300 per cent (43 cases instead of 10).

"The rise in drug-related crime is alarming. The number of cases rose from 931 to 2,365, of which drug sale cases have increased 3 times. The top three 'most criminal' regions are Yerevan with 9,688 cases, Armavir with 1,597 and Lori with 1,404 cases. The index of corruption offences also increased from 422 to 680," the newspaper writes.