Interior Ministry: Increase in particularly serious crimes recorded  in Shirak Province in H1 2026

ArmInfo.  The number of serious crimes decreased in the Shirak Region in the first half of  2026, while the number of particularly serious crimes increased, as  reported by the press service of the Armenian Ministry of Internal  Affairs.  Citing the head of the Shirak Provincial Department of the  Criminal Police, the agency presented the dynamics of specific types  of crimes for the reporting period.

According to him, registered crimes within the department's jurisdiction decreased by 24% in the  first half of 2026 compared to the same period last year. "A total of  273 crimes falling under the competence of the criminal police were  registered. No murder cases were recorded. The number of serious  crimes decreased, while particularly serious crimes increased.   Additionally, the number of thefts committed using computer  technology dropped by 66.2%," a department representative stated.

According to the data provided, overall crime against public safety,  public order, and public health increased across the province.  According to the head of the Shirak Criminal Police Department, this  is primarily due to the Patrol Service identifying cases of  individuals driving vehicles without a driver's license. "During the  reporting period, the Kumayri Community Police Department registered  387 crimes, 333 of which were solved. The clearance rate stood at  86%, compared to 80.5% for the same period last year. Crimes against  persons and property, including car thefts, decreased, whereas crimes  against economic activity increased," the department representative  noted.

In the Mush Community Police Department, 239 crimes were registered  and 203 were solved. The police representative specified that thefts,  acts of vandalism, and crimes against persons have decreased. He drew  attention to the fact that crimes committed by minors increased,  while crimes committed against minors decreased. "In the Amasia  Community Police Department, no crimes against property were  registered. A total of 21 crimes were recorded, which is 38.2% less  than in the same period last year. Crimes against state authority,  state service, and management order also decreased. Over six months,  out of 122 registered crimes in the Ani Community Police Department,  116, or 95.1%, were solved. Cases of domestic and family violence, as  well as crimes committed against minors, increased," the police  representative continued.

In the Ashotsk Community Police Department, 32 crimes were registered  and 30 were solved. The department representative clarified that the  rise in crime was mainly driven by an increase in cases involving the  illegal trafficking of weapons and ammunition. At the same time,  crimes against persons have decreased.

"The Artik Community Police Department has seen a decrease in crimes  against economic activity. During the reporting period, 142 crimes  were registered, 131 of which were solved. Among latent crimes, an  increase was noted in cases of illegal drug trafficking, as well as  domestic and family violence. Officers of the Shirak Region Patrol  Service Battalion solved 120 crimes, a 7.1% increase compared to the  same period last year. 62,118 reports were drawn up for various  administrative offenses, 12,757 more than the previous year. The  number of road accidents and victims in the Shirak Region has also  decreased," the official concluded.