Armenian MP proposes tougher drug penalties

Armenian ruling party MP Hayk Sargsyan has introduced draft amendments to the country’s Criminal and Administrative Codes that would sharply increase penalties for drug trafficking and possession, including prison terms of up to 15 years.

Presenting the bill at a meeting of the parliament’s state-legal affairs committee on Monday, Sargsyan said the changes target large-scale distribution and sales involving minors or digital platforms. Under the proposal, selling drugs via messaging apps such as Telegram would carry five to 10 years in prison, compared with the current three to six. Sales to minors would be punishable by eight to 15 years, up from three to six.

The draft law also doubles fines for small-scale possession for personal use, raising them to 400,000–800,000 drams ($1,000–$2,000), with repeat offenses within a year subject to penalties of up to 1.6 million drams. Prison terms for cultivation or possession of drugs for personal use would rise from one year to two, while large-scale acquisition through technology could bring four years in jail instead of two.

Sargsyan said the tougher measures are aimed at curbing the spread of narcotics in Armenia, particularly among young people.