Authorities to Toughen Penalties for Pickpocketing

A legislative package is being proposed to toughen the penalties for pickpocketing. This was stated by Deputy Minister of Justice Srbuhi Galayan during the discussion of the second reading of the bill on amendments and additions to the Criminal Code and related laws at the National Assembly session on November 13.

According to her, previously, a thief could only be held accountable if the stolen amount exceeded 5,000 drams; however, this norm is being abolished, and pickpockets will face criminal responsibility regardless of the amount stolen.

Galayan noted that this package of bills aims to address several issues. “We are trying to overcome the atmosphere of impunity, as individuals will now be held responsible irrespective of the amount of stolen funds,” the deputy minister clarified.