The dynamics of the criminal proceedings investigated on domestic violence in 2023 have been analyzed and summed up at the RA Investigative Committee.

Pursuant to it, in 2023 1848 criminal proceedings initiated on domestic violence according to the relevant articles of the RA Criminal Code were investigated in the proceeding of the RA Investigative Committee as compared with 960 proceedings in 2022.

So, the number of the criminal proceedings investigated on domestic violence or similar apparent criminal acts has absolutely increased by 888 or 92.5% in the previous year.

The quantitative growth of proceedings is due mainly to the new methodology of conducting statistics on criminal proceedings, arising from the requirements of the new Criminal Procedure Code, which entered into force in June, 2022. Besides, recently, there has been a tendency for victims to contact law enforcement bodies on cases of domestic violence, that is, the increase in the number of proceedings is not due to the increase in the number of cases on violence, but to the increase in disclosures.

At the same time, an increase in the number of proceedings sent to court has also been recorded. 338 out of 1848 proceedings investigated in 2023 have been completed with the bill of indictment and on 341 persons sent to court. In 2022 122 proceedings on 126 persons were sent to court.

More than half of the proceedings sent to court – 51% refers to cases on physical impact (battery). Particularly, out of 343 proceedings

• 4 were investigated on murder (in 2022 9 proceedings on murder were sent to court),
• 4 – on murder attempt,
• 1 – on causing to commit suicide,
• 6 – on infliction of heavy damage to health,
• 7 – on infliction of damage of medium gravity to health,
• 30 – on infliction of light damage to health,
• 1 – on infecting with AIDS virus,
• 3 – on illegal deprivation of life,
• 3 – on sexual acts,
• 2 – on avoiding paying alimony,
• 177 – on physical impact,
• 105 – on other crimes.

The majority of the defendants within the proceedings sent to court have been married. Particularly, out of 349 defendants

• 259 were wife/husband (74%),
• 35 – parent, grandfather/grandmother (9.7%),
• 28 – sister/brother (8%),
• 27 – son/daughter, grandson/granddaughter (7.7%).

Out of 359 victims within the proceedings sent to court

• 13 were up to 12 years old,
• 8 – between 12 and 14 years old,
• 6 – between 14 and 18 years old
• 332 – over 18 years old.

Preliminary investigation of 557 criminal proceedings has been terminated 463 of which on rehabilitative, 90 – on non-rehabilitative, 4 – on other bases.

Procedural and evidentiary actions within 144 proceedings were completed. 14 criminal proceedings were sent according to investigatory subordination.

8 criminal proceedings were completed with a final act and sent to court. 149 proceedings were combined. 608 proceedings were transferred to 2024.

The RA Investigative Committee considers it necessary to inform and warn that in accordance with the legal regulations established by the RA Criminal Code, which entered into force on July 1, 2022, in the case of certain crimes, such as murder, infliction of heavy damage, damage of medium gravity and light damage to health, illegal deprivation of freedom, mental or physical impact and so on, committing the crime by a close relative is considered an aggravating circumstance.

The Committee appeals to the citizens to devoid of such actions.