Crime rate may grow in Armenia after amnesty, acting minister says

The crime rate may increase in Armenia following the amnesty, Acting Justice Minister Artak Zeynalyan told reporters on Saturday.

“We have had such analyses and statistical reviews. There is such an experience. It is not ruled out that the number of crimes may grow in Armenia, but it is not a mandatory condition. We all have work to do to prevent it,” he said.

The Armenian National Assembly unanimously adopted the amnesty bill on November 1.

The measure marks the 100th anniversary of the First Republic of Armenia and the 2,800th anniversary of the capital, Yerevan.

It will affect a total of 6,500 people in one way or another, including people under investigation or in pre-trial detention, with 660 due to be released from prisons.