162 Employees Subjected to Disciplinary Action by the Ministry of Internal Affairs

The Ministry of Internal Affairs, guided by its commitment to public accountability and the provision of systemic internal discipline, places particular emphasis on informing the public about the results of service investigations and studies.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Republic of Armenia, during the first half of 2026, the internal security and anti-corruption department initiated 680 service investigations and audits. Disciplinary sanctions were applied to 162 employees from the police, rescue services, migration and citizenship services, as well as employees from subordinate organizations (state non-commercial organizations), civil servants, and other staff members.

The sanctions were mainly imposed for failure to perform or inadequately performing duties as prescribed by governing laws, violating laws while exercising powers, and not adhering to internal discipline regulations.

A total of 146 disciplinary sanctions were imposed on police officers, including 11 warnings, 86 reprimands, 19 severe reprimands, salary reductions by up to 20 percent for 19 individuals, and termination of service for 11 others. Additionally, 11 police officers were dismissed from service under non-disciplinary measures due to legal convictions, violations in transitioning to police service, and criminal prosecution without rehabilitation grounds.

The rescue service applied 3 disciplinary sanctions, including 1 reprimand and 2 severe reprimands, with 1 rescuing service member dismissed similarly under non-disciplinary measures due to a legal conviction.

In the migration and citizenship service, 6 disciplinary sanctions were issued, comprised of 2 warnings, 1 reprimand, and 3 severe reprimands. Five sanctions were applied to staff from state non-commercial organizations under the Ministry, including 4 reprimands and 1 severe reprimand.

During the first half of 2026, the internal security and anti-corruption department sent 7 materials from service investigations to preliminary investigation bodies, initiating 7 criminal proceedings based on apparent criminal activities of police officers. These materials included allegations of abuse of official powers, forgery, fraud, driving a vehicle without license, and other presumed offenses.

During the reporting period, three disciplinary commission meetings were held, discussing 16 materials and conclusions from service investigations involving 17 policemen and 1 rescuer. After analyzing the facts, the Ministry’s disciplinary commission decided to recommend disciplinary actions against the officials who initiated the service investigations. They proposed applying a severe reprimand to 6 individuals, termination of service for 11 individuals, and acquitting 1 police officer of disciplinary action.