There is a noticeable increase in cybercrimes, as well as cases of illegal drug trafficking through Internet platforms. Kamo Sharoyan, Deputy Head of the General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee, said within the framework of “The Investigator Presents” series of interviews of Iravaban.net.

– Mr. Sharoyan, what is the structure of the General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee and what was the purpose and principle that the departments included in the General Department created?

– General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee was created taking into account the types of crimes and their characteristics. Accordingly, we have 6 specialized departments: investigation of crimes against humanity; investigation of crimes agains human trafficking, investigation of crimes against Sexual Immunity of Juveniles and Illegal Turnover of Drugs; investigation of Crimes against Property; investigation of General and Election-Related Crimes; investigation of Cybercrime and High Technology Crime; as well as Investigation of Crimes on Torture and Abusing or Exceeding Authorities by Officials through Using Violence.

-According to statistical data and analysis, within the functions of the General Department, which types of crimes become more noticeable and tend to be more widespread?

– It is obvious that along with the improvement of high technologies, the crimes committed in the given field or in the Internet domain have also increased. In particular, there is a noticeable increase in cybercrimes, as well as cases of illegal drug trafficking through Internet platforms. In addition, the increase in crimes against humanity, human trafficking, and sexual integrity is significant. Along with all this, I also consider it necessary to mention that due to the work of professional investigators of the specialized departments operating within the General Department, along with the increase in crimes, the indicators of their detection have also increased significantly.

– Which crimes show the most development trends and what measures are taken to fight against them or prevent them?

– As I mentioned, the most noticeable are the crimes committed in the field of drug trafficking, cybercrimes and high technologies caused by Internet access, which, depending on the specifics of the investigation, creating certain complications for the investigators, require a unique professional approach and, why not, also knowledge, such as, for example, mastering modern technologies. Considering that these types of crimes are committed both inside and outside the country, there is a need to make requests for legal assistance to the competent authorities of other countries in order to obtain evidence based information about the crime.

I would like to add that, as necessary, the General Department carries out trainings for the employees of the various divisions of the Committee in order to develop skills in acquiring factual data in computer systems and various networks and domains in criminal proceedings regarding cybercrimes and crimes committed in the field of high technologies, as well as other crimes.

– Mr. Sharoyan, before assuming the current position, you held the position of the Head of the Second Department of the General Department of Control over Activity of Territorial Investigative Departments. How the activity of the General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee is different from the Territorial Investigative Departments?

– The General Department of Control over Activity of Territorial Investigative Departments within the limits of the competences assigned to it by the charter, coordinates and supervises the activities of Yerevan city and regional investigative departments of the Investigative Committee, their divisions, and carries out joint supervision.

The General Department of Investigation of Particularly Important Cases implements and organizes, within its jurisdiction, the powers provided for by the Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia in cases of particularly important, public-sounding, multi-episode crimes, as well as investigation features.

And I must definitely mention that both of these units have their special importance in the sphere of activity of the Investigative Committee and have their own unique characteristics and professional orientations.

– It is obvious that the investigators work with an overloaded schedule. How can you ensure the effectiveness of pre-trial proceedings in case of such volumes?

– Investigators really work with an overloaded schedule, but I must mention that even in such conditions, being devotees of the profession, investigators do everything possible and impossible to ensure the quality and efficiency of the preliminary investigation, to fulfill the tasks before them with honor.

– In your opinion, what kind of work should be done to make the investigator’s work, the department’s activity more effective?

– As they have been carried out up to now; are being carried out; and in the near future, relevant works will be carried out: enrichment of the professional knowledge of investigators, exchange of experience and training with our partners from law enforcement agencies of foreign countries, as well as international structures, methodological guidelines and evidentiary activities after the implementation of the new legislation, towards the effective application of actions. Currently, in the conditions of new realities, electronic evidence is used as important evidence in a large number of criminal cases, the accurate seizure, storage and further use of which is essential for the detection of a criminal case, and regular work is done with investigators to acquire new skills in the mentioned field. At the initiative of the leadership of the investigative committee, regular steps are taken in the direction of increasing the efficiency of the activities of both the investigators and various departments. Separate programs are developed and implemented, separate programs and toolsets are implemented in order to implement the powers assigned to the structure with modern standards and modern approaches.

– Do you think that young lawyers are now interested in the profession of investigator?

– The work of an investigator is a responsible, multi-layered and extensive work, and it is noteworthy that there is also interest in this work from young professionals. I should mention that the number of applicants to serve in the RA Investigative Committee only this year was 300, and 80 students studied at the RA Academy of Justice, which means that young lawyers are interested in the profession of an investigator and we are happy that they will join the ranks of the Committee’s employees in the future.

– What are the priorities of your activities for the current year?

– Bearing in mind that under the new Criminal Procedure Code of the Republic of Armenia, the Investigative Committee of the Republic of Armenia has been entrusted with the investigation of the crimes of torture and abuse of power by officials, and bearing in mind that the relevant department for the investigation of criminal proceedings regarding the mentioned crimes was recently established, as well as based on the peculiarities and degree of complexity of the field, one of the priorities of the activity of General Department is to increase the effectiveness of the investigation of the mentioned crimes. Increasing the effectiveness of the investigation of crimes committed in the field of high technology also remains relevant.

– Mr. Sharoyan, what principle are you guided by as a citizen and as an investigator?

– The investigator must stand out and be guided not only by his professional skills, but also by his daily work, communication and interactions with people, as well as by a high culture of thinking.

This initiative, implemented in cooperation with the RA Investigative Committee and the Iravaban.net website, aims to properly present to the public the main directions of the work carried out by the preliminary investigation body , to reflect on the peculiarities of pre-trial proceedings and other issues of public importance.