Armenian PM suggests migration may be factor in rising crime rates

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that the growth of crime in Armenia may be related to migration.

Pashinyan made the remarks during a question-and-answer session at the National Assembly of Armenia to Lusina Badalyan, an MP from the Civil Contract faction, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

According to her, the situation is not safe for an Armenian citizen, and the number of crimes is increasing day by day.

“Is the government engaged in serious analyses, discussions? Maybe there is a need for more extensive discussions? Is there a search for a solution to this problem? Is it possible that this problem is of a personnel, systemic nature?” she said.

Responding to this question, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said: “Of course, everything is possible. If this issue is raised in the National Assembly, nothing prevents us from holding parliamentary hearings and considering this issue in more detail. Yes, we have a problem with the smuggling of drugs across the border, we cannot consider ourselves separately on the globe.... Anything that brings in a lot of money finds its way. Security Council meetings have been called on these topics. And perhaps it is also related to migration. Should we stop migration? Then who will build our schools, who will work in our economy? How is it that people from India come to Armenia to work? Of course, migration affects this problem, yes, they bring drugs with them. Why can't we find them? Are our capabilities weak? Yes, they are weak,” Pashinyan said.