Regional activities > European police and judicial systems Armenia

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1. Introduction

 1.1 Location

The Republic of Armenia is one of the Transcaucasian republics and situated in north-eastern part of the Armenian Highland. The land boundaries of the Republic of Armenia are 1,254 km in total; Azerbaijan (east) 566 km , Azerbaijan (south) 221 km, Georgia 164 km , Iran 35km, Turkey 268 km. Agriculture forms the largest sector of Armenian economy. On 21 September 1991 Armenia re-established its independence. The capital of Armenia is Yerevan.

 1.2 Area - Population - Language

• Total area = 29,800 sq km
  
• 3,210,200
  
• Armenian
  

 1.3 Government

The Republic of Armenia is a sovereign, democratic state based on social justice and the rule of law. The President is elected for 5 years. The state guarantees the protection of human rights and freedom based on the Constitution and law in accordance with the principles and norms of international law. The multi-party political system is recognized in Armenia. Legislative power in Armenia is vested in the National Assembly.Executive power lies within the Government of Armenia, that is the Prime Minister and the Ministers. Government decisions are signed by the Prime Minister and approved by the President. The Government submits a draft state budget to the National Assembly for approval, manages state property, ensures the implementation of state policies in the areas of science, education, culture, economy, social security, foreign issues of the Republic. Judicial power is administered by courts. The courts of general jurisdiction in Armenia are the court of first instance, the review court and the court of appeal. The new constitution of Armenia was approved by referendum in July, 1995.
Amendments to the Constitution were adopted through a nationwide referendum on 27 November, 2005.
There are 11 districts (marzes) in Armenia.

International Relations

Armenia is a member of the United Nations, the Council of Europe, the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), the Black Sea Economic Co-operation Pact (BSEC), etc. Armenia is also a party to many international conventions and agreements.

2. Police system

 2.1 Law enforcement bodies

Police is an agency under the Government of the Republic of Armenia.

 2.2 Armenia - Police Organization Chart

Armenia (Acrobat file )

 2.3 NCB structure

The NCB is a separate operational department within the Police of the Republic of Armenia.

The NCB is a separate (police operational) department of Armenia. The structure of NCB Yerevan is as follows:

1. Division for international search and general crime
   This division is responsible for conducting criminal investigations of an operational nature,
   preparing international notice requests and sending them to the General Secretariat for publication, providing liaison and co-ordination activities, maintaining criminal records, implementing criminal investigations concerning the search for wanted persons.
   The division comprises 6 police officers including a head of division.
   
   
2. Division for the analysis and processing of criminal intelligence
   This division deals with the following areas: legal matters, analysis and processing of criminal intelligence on drug trafficking, fraud, organized crime, terrorism, corruption, counterfeiting, crimes against human beings, international relations support, general reference sources, methodological data, etc.
   It comprises 6 police officers including a head of division.
   
   
3. Division for telecommunications and technical support
   This division deals with matters relating to information technology systems, providing telecommunications services and technical support for the NCB.
   It consists of 7 police officers including a head of division.
   Other units are as follows a secretariat (2 civilians) which deals with the control and registration of documents received and sent and other paperwork, and Duty service (2 ordinary men) which provide NCB's security. Besides the staff comprises the position of a head and a deputy head. The total amount of staff is 25 including 19 police officers, 4 ordinary men and 2 civilians.

 2.4 International investigations

International investigations can be conducted on the basis of the requests through Interpol channels. A letter rogatory is prepared and forwarded by the General Prosecutor via diplomatic channels.

 2.5 Pre-trial police and judicial powers

3. Judicial system

 3.1 General

Judicial power is administered by the courts according to the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and its national legislative acts. There is the court of first instance, the review court, the court of appeal and the Constitutional court of Armenia. Economic, military and other courts can also be provided by law.

The President is the guarantor of the independence of the judicial authorities. The President rules over the Judicial Council and the Minister of Justice and the Prosecutor General are vice presidents of the Council. The Constitutional court rules on whether the legislative acts, resolutions of the National Assembly, the orders of President and the resolutions of Government are in conformity with the Constitution, and decides prior to the ratification of an international treaty whether the obligations assumed are in accordance with the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia.

 3.2 Prosecution

The General Prosecutor's Office is a unified system headed by the General Prosecutor. It deals with initiating criminal prosecutions according to the procedures provided by law, controlling the legality of investigations, submitting cases for prosecution in court, bringing actions in court to defend the interests of the state, overseeing the execution of sentences, etc.

4. Investigation possibilities and international co-operation

 4.1 Possibilities

 4.2 Access to files (through NCB)

 4.3 Liaison officers

The Republic of Armenia has no liaison officers posted abroad.

5. Police/Customs co-operation

The customs service has investigative powers within its competence (stolen property, drug smuggling).

6. Miscellaneous

 6.1 Public holidays

• Christmas Day (January 6 )
  
• New Year (December 31, January 1,2)
  
• Army Day (January 28)
  
• Women International Day (March 8)
  
• Maternity, Beauty and Love Day (April 7)
  
• Police Day (April 16)
  
• Genocide Victims' Memorial Day (April 24)
  
• Labour Day (May 1)
  
• Victory and Peace Day (May 9)
  
• Day of the Establishment of the First Republic (May 28)
  
• Day of Children's Rights Protection (June 1)
  
• Constitution Day (July 5)
  
• Knowledge, Literature and Education Day (September 1)
  
• Independence Day (September 21)
  
• Earthquake Victims' Memorial Day (December 7)
  
  In Armenia the traditional, religious and professional holidays are also celebrated.
  

Regional activities - European police and judicial systems