An increase in crime , by about 23 percent was recorded in Gegharkunik marz, but this is completely controllable for the law enforcement agencies of the marz. Sargis Margaryan, Head  of the Gegharkunik Marz Investigation Department of the RA Investigative Committee, told in the framework of “The Investigator Presents” series of interviews of Iravaban.net.  

According to the investigator, justice, impartiality, as well as conscientiousness and discipline towards work are important in his work.

– Mr. Margaryan, what was the state of crime in Gegharkunik region in the first half of this year? Which types of crimes were the most prevalent?

– 1158 cases of crime were recorded in Gegharkunik region, compared to 943 last year. The number of particularly serious and medium crimes has increased, serious crimes have decreased somewhat. If we try to consider according to the types of crimes, there were 469 cases of crimes against public safety and health of the population in the territory of the region, compared to 275 cases in the same period last year, there were 11 cases of hooliganism, compared to 5, illegal drug trafficking increased by 18 cases, from 40 to 58 cases. Crimes against property have decreased, 178 cases, compared to 229 cases of the previous year, and 77 cases of theft were recorded this year, of which 27 were residential cases, compared to 46 cases of the previous year.

The increase in crimes by around 23 percent is, of course, worrisome and proves the need to intensify preventive and prophylactic work. However, in general, the state of crime is completely under control for the law enforcement agencies of the region.

In the first semester of 2023, 4,204 criminal proceedings were examined in the proceedings of the Gegharkunik Marz Investigation Department of the RA Investigative Committee, of which 2,261 were cases which proceedings had been suspended in previous years. In the same period of the previous year, 921 criminal cases were investigated. These indicators shows a significant increase in the department’s workload, which is dictated by the requirements of the new of Criminal Procedure Code, which came into force a year ago.

The increase in the number of criminal cases has had a direct comparative effect on the quantitative increase in the investigated proceedings. The most proceedings were initiated in the cases of frauds, illegal circulation of arms and ammunition, and illegal tree cutting.

– The interstate Yerevan-Sevan highway passes through the territory of the region, which is especially heavily loaded during the summer due to tourism. What was the general situation of traffic crimes in the first half of the year? Has it been analyzed what were the causes of the accidents with death and serious bodily, as a rule, and what has been done by the department to eliminate their causes and contributing conditions?

– In fact, not only the Yerevan-Sevan interstate highway passes through the territory of the region, but also the really busy Sevan-Martuni-Getap highway, which is also of no less importance and works intensively. In fact, if we compare with the same period last year, we can say that the cases of bodily injuries caused by accidents and even more so the cases of car accidents resulting in death have decreased a little. 10 cases of criminal violation of traffic rules resulting in death were recorded, instead of 11 last year.

The analysis of the materials of the proceedings shows that the main cause of the recorded cases was over speeding, driving a vehicle under the influence of alcohol. There are quite a few cases when drivers drive the vehicle under conditions of suspension of the driving license due to the consumption of points. In all cases, when the body conducting the proceedings sees that other factors contributed to the commission of the traffic crime, related to the lack of traffic organization, markings, traffic signs, we definitely draw the attention of the relevant bodies to them by submitting petitions.

– Have there been any cases of fish theft from Lake Sevan recorded this year, and to what extent are they detected? Is it possible to control fishing with criminal law mechanisms?

– First of all, I should mention that the crime of illegal fishing has undergone a significant change with the new Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, which entered into force on 1 July, 2022. According to the new legal regulations, the question of criminal liability may arise in the event that the illegal fishing or illegal extraction of fish or other aquatic animals was carried out using a method of their mass destruction or extraction, during the prohibited time for their hunting or extraction, causing large-scale property damage, or in a prohibited place, causing large-scale property damage. In the first half of 2023, cases of illegal hunting/fishing from Lake Sevan, typical of these characteristics of the crime, were not recorded, and no criminal proceedings were initiated based on these facts.

Illegal fishing is controlled not only by criminal law, but also by prevention, accounting of natural resources, setting allowable catch sizes, and most importantly, by the work of administrative bodies. Proceedings have been initiated for apparently interfering with the work of relevant employees of Sevan National Park and obstructing the fight against illegal fishing. Criminal proceedings have involved persons as defendants and the proceedings have been sent to court. It is also a means of struggle.

– Mr. Margaryan, how did you decide to become a student of the Police Academy at the age of 16? 

– The question is interesting. In fact, my secondary education was excellent, and being a student at the Police Academy implied the presence of high knowledge. My parents also helped me choose that direction, and I am grateful to them.

– What attracted you to the work of a police officer, an investigator?

– After studying and graduating from the Police Academy, I went through internships in various services, including the investigative departments operating in the police system at that time. During the internship, gaining an understanding of the work in the law enforcement system, in particular the circumstances of identifying the committed acts through investigation, fighting against crime with mental work, became an incentive to choose investigative work and aspire to the title of investigator.

– Since 2021, you have held the position of the Head of the Syunik Marz Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee, and currently you are the Head of the Gegharkunik Marz Investigative Department. Can you mention the characteristics of those marzes from a criminal point of view?

– First of all, I would like to mention that by the order of the Chairman of the Investigative Committee, I had the honor of leading the Syunik Regional Investigative Department for about two years, and with the same honor, I am currently leading the Gegharkunik Regional Investigative Department.

Both are on the border and are regularly attacked or provoked by the enemy’s armed forces. Those circumstances leave their influence on the socio-psychology, character, interpersonal relations, etc. of the population of the region. But there is no significant difference in terms of criminality in both mentioned marzes.

– Do you remember what the first case in your practice was?

– Yes of course. While working as an investigator, the first criminal proceeding, which was called a criminal case at that time, was about domestic violence. The husband beat his wife while being drunk. I conducted an investigation and the case was sent to court with an indictment.

– Since 6 November, 2020, you participated in the 44-day war as a volunteer. What was the reason for going to Artsakh at that time?

– I tried to serve my country as much as possible and I am proud that I have the opportunity to do it because of my work. However, during that fateful period, I preferred to take part in our defense against the attack carried out by the enemy, and as part of the volunteer investigation committee unit, as a platoon commander, I signed up and went on a combat mission. To be honest, I wouldn’t want to talk about it too much now. I think that the mission of every decent Armenian man is to serve the sacred cause of protecting the motherland and follow the call of the state.

– What problems do investigators mainly face in their work practice and what mechanisms are used to overcome them?

– The state has created all necessary working conditions for investigators. Those who have been in the system for a long time can feel the differences. Now, during work, there are mainly problems related to the organization of work, which have objective grounds. For example, the heavy workload, the delays of the examinations assigned by criminal proceedings, which are also a consequence of the workload of the expert centers, but affect the course of the criminal proceedings, especially in terms of deadlines. In addition, there is a lack of experience in new working relationships due to the technological saturation of the preliminary investigation, which is the imperative of the time. But everything is surmountable. The important thing is to have the inner awareness and team spirit to approach work as a mission, to serve to the state and the people.

– Have you ever faced threats to you? 

– There was never any threat or attempt. I think they realized the futility of it before they got to it.

– For you, what are the main principles that the investigator should adhere to during his work? 

– Fairness, conscientiousness towards work, discipline, impartiality. You know, in the process of organizing and carrying out the preliminary investigation, it is required to observe clear working and human principles. For this purpose, the leadership of the Investigative Committee periodically directs the work of the system and the behavior of the employees to the above-mentioned principles with appropriate orders, instructions, and methodical help, having the independence of the investigator in the work as the core.

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.