Armenia Struggles to Combat Financial Crimes Amid Ongoing Corruption and Organized Crime

Yerevan, Armenia - Despite making significant progress in anti-corruption reforms, Armenia continues to grapple with financial crimes, corruption, and organized crime.

The State of Affairs

According to a recent report by [Name of Organization], Armenia’s criminal landscape is dominated by state-embedded actors, who have historically colluded with criminal networks to facilitate organized crime. While the country has seen a decline in corruption levels following the 2018 revolution, the influence of state-embedded actors remains significant.

• Foreign players are also involved in criminal activities, including Iranian groups trafficking heroin and synthetic drugs, as well as Russian companies working with Armenian state-embedded actors to exploit non-renewable resources.
• Mafia-style groups, known as “akhperutyuns,” have traditionally been active in Armenia, but their influence has declined significantly since the revolution.

Efforts to Combat Organized Crime

The government has made efforts to combat organized crime, including:

• Establishing an Anti-Corruption Policy Council
• Stepping up anti-drug trafficking efforts
• Introducing a bill criminalizing criminal subcultures in prisons

However, corruption remains a significant problem, and the country lacks effective anti-corruption measures.

Challenges Ahead

Armenia’s legal framework covers most criminal markets of interest, but further efforts are needed to strengthen relevant legislation. The government has announced plans to establish three anti-corruption investigative bodies by 2021.

The country’s prison system remains plagued by problems, including prisoner abuse and poor living conditions. Law enforcement agencies in Armenia have traditionally lacked public trust, due in part to limited state funding and corruption.

Role of Civil Society

Civil society in Armenia has played a key role in pushing for reforms, particularly following the 2018 revolution. NGOs have been involved in discussions and decision-making processes, and efforts have been made to improve victim support and protection.

However, challenges remain, including:

• Lack of funding for NGOs
• Independence for journalists
• Transparency in media ownership

Conclusion

Armenia continues to face significant challenges in combating financial crimes and organized crime. While progress has been made, more work is needed to address corruption, improve law enforcement, and protect victims of crime.