Counternarcotics and Law Enforcement Country Program: Armenia

Fact Sheet

Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs

January 20, 2009

Challenges

Armenian justice institutions are still struggling to overcome the legal legacies of the Soviet times. Organized crime and corruption are persistent problems. Ongoing cross-border tensions with some of its neighbors impedes more effective sub-regional cooperation, critical given the flow of drugs, contraband and other criminal activities in the southern Caucasus.

U.S. Law Enforcement Goals

Armenia is located at one of the world’s major crossroads of conflict, an area where the interests of neighboring Russia, Iran and Turkey, as well as other outside powers, have frequently clashed. In the first decade of its independence, Armenia faced the challenges of economic reform and democratization even as it engaged in a bitter territorial conflict with Azerbaijan. Now in its second decade as an independent nation, Armenia seeks more and better economic and political integration with European and Euro-Atlantic institutions. Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) programs have assisted the Government of Armenia (GOAM) implement legislation to track, freeze and seize terrorist assets and have expanded law enforcement assistance and cooperation and laid the groundwork for anti-drug and anti-crime legislation, with a focus on trafficking in persons.

U.S. Programs

• Regional Computer Network Project: A single database will be created to include reported criminal cases, missing persons, wanted suspects, stolen vehicles, and stolen weapons and ammunition. This database will be made available to Armenian Police departments by providing the necessary hardware and software to all of the police regions.

• Resident Legal Advisor (RLA): This project supports the assignment to Armenia of an experienced federal prosecutor from the U.S. Department of Justice who provides targeted assistance to components of the GOAM in five key areas, including: the new Criminal Procedure Code, anti-money laundering and anti-trafficking in persons.

• Forensic Institute Development: Forensics is a critical element of any modern criminal justice system. This on-going project assists with laboratory renovations, training and technical assistance as well as procurement and installation of equipment. The goal is to improve and modernize GOAM forensic capability so that law enforcement and prosecutors can more effectively investigate and prosecute criminal activity.

U.S. Government Funding FY2005-2008
FY05: $2.5 million (FSA)
FY06: $3.0 million (FSA)
FY07: $2.95 million (FSA)
FY08: $2.853 million (FSA)