08/08/2019 16:21
Punishment for pickpocketing to be tougher: Justice ministry to submit bill to NA in September
The number of cases of pickpocketing in the first quarter of the running year has grown by 70%. The 95% of cases have been registered in Yerevan, particularly in Kentron, Arabkir, Malatya-Sebastia and Shengavit administrative regions, police colonel, head of police headquarters inspection department Hakob Petrosyan told the reporters today.
He said in 90% of cases no criminal persecution is implemented due to lack of appeal.
“The pickpockets treat this crime as craft. We have cases when the same person committed this crime thrice and more,” the police official said.
Petrosyan said they particularly act in public transportation means, in public places and mainly on rush hours.
The police official urged the citizens to be attentive toward own property, nevertheless if a crime has already been committed apply to police, be successive for the pickpocket to be punished.
Petrosyan said pickopcketing is not considered big crime by Armenia’s acting law (till 5,000 AMD) and for it an administrative fine is set, in case of cases of theft till 500,000 AMD criminal responsibility is set.
He stressed that if a person who suffered from it does not apply to police and does not give legal proceeding to the case, the criminal will not be punished.
Petrosyan also stressed the necessity of toughening the punishment for pickpocketing and said that the Justice Ministry has already initiated amendments in the Criminal Code. According to it, the pickpocketing will be considered public accusation and irrespective whether there will be complain or not the pickpocket will be criminally persecuted.
The bill will be submitted to the NA in September.