Pashinyan Blames Artsakh War Aftermath for Rising Gun Violence in Armenia

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has attributed the sharp increase in gun violence across Armenia to the fallout from the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war. Thousands of weapons distributed to Armenian citizens during the war remain unaccounted for, creating a significant challenge for law enforcement and contributing to a surge in firearm-related crimes.

Official statistics paint a troubling picture of the rising gun violence in Armenia. In the first eight months of 2023, the country recorded 68 cases of armed robberies, shootouts, and other crimes involving firearms. This represents an alarming 55% increase compared to the same period last year. During a cabinet meeting in Yerevan, Prosecutor-General Anna Vardapetyan expressed her concern about these figures, emphasizing on the growing public safety threat.

Prime Minister Pashinyan pointed to the large number of missing weapons after the 2020 war as a key factor behind this surge. He stated, "We have a large quantity of missing weapons after the 44-day war," referring to the large-scale military attack on the innocent Armenian civilians of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) by Azerbaijan. The weapons in question were distributed to civilians and volunteers who joined the fight, but many were never recovered.

The Armenian government handed out thousands of assault rifles and other firearms to citizens during the war, but the whereabouts of many of these weapons remain unknown. In early 2023, Interior Minister Vahe Ghazaryan revealed that as many as 17,000 assault rifles had "disappeared" during and after the war. While law enforcement officials later announced they had identified a "site" where many of the missing weapons were located, they have not provided specific details on the numbers recovered or whether the firearms have been confiscated.

Prime Minister Pashinyan has instructed the Interior Ministry to develop new methods for locating and seizing these missing weapons. However, he did not disclose what these new strategies would entail or why tracking the firearms has been such a challenge for the authorities. The lack of transparency has raised questions about the government's ability to address the issue effectively.

The 44-day war in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020 resulted in significant territorial losses for Armenia and deepened tensions with Azerbaijan. In an effort to defend against Azerbaijani forces, the Armenian government mobilized citizens and distributed weapons to volunteers. While many of these weapons were intended for temporary use, the chaotic aftermath of the war made it difficult to reclaim them, leaving a large number unaccounted for.

The missing weapons have become a significant concern for Armenian authorities, as they believe may be contributing to the increase in violent crime. The recent spike in gun violence includes armed robberies, personal disputes escalating into shootouts, and other criminal activities involving firearms. This has heightened public safety concerns and put additional pressure on law enforcement agencies.

Pashinyan has spoken about his administration's efforts to reform law enforcement with assistance from the European Union and the United States. However, there are growing concerns about the effectiveness of these reforms. In July, civic activist Daniel Ioannisian, who leads the Union of Informed Citizens (UIC), criticized the Armenian police, arguing that they have become less competent and professional in recent years.

Ioannisian's research, based on police data, revealed that only one in four murder suspects in Armenia has been brought to trial. This statistic raises serious questions about the ability of law enforcement to handle violent crime effectively, including cases involving firearms. His findings suggest that the ongoing reforms may not be addressing deeper structural problems within the police force.

The Armenian government faces a complex challenge in addressing the rise in gun violence and reclaiming the thousands of missing weapons from the Karabakh war. 

At the same time, Pashinyan’s administration must address concerns about the competence and effectiveness of the country’s law enforcement agencies. As the government works to implement reforms, it will need to ensure that police are equipped to handle the rise in gun-related crime and restore public confidence in their ability to maintain law and order.

The lasting impact of the Nagorno-Karabakh war continues to shape Armenia’s internal security challenges.