HOVSEP KOCHARYAN

PhD in Law

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59546/18290744‑2026.1‑3‑174

 

Annotation.

This article discusses the challenges of establishing responsibility for the crime of aggression within the framework of international criminal law. Special attention is given to the commission of the crime of aggression through cyberattacks – that is, to cyber aggression. In addition, the article explores the possibility of aggression being considered a continuing crime. By analyzing the elements of Article 8 bis of the Rome Statute, the author concludes that the legal construction provided in Article 8 bis significantly complicates its application to acts of cyber aggression. At the same time, the author argues for both the possibility and even the necessity of including cyber‑based acts of aggression under the crime of aggression, taking into account modern security threats.

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SUREN BAGHINYAN

PhD student of the Criminal Procedure and Criminalistics

Department of Yerevan State University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59546/18290744‑2026.1‑3‑159

 

Annotation.

This article is dedicated to the fundamental issues of interaction between various bodies during the investigation of high treason. The effectiveness of high treason investigations largely depends on the organized cooperation between criminal proceedings and bodies conducting operational‑search activities (OSA). Delays in procedural actions or the untimely discovery of evidence may allow perpetrators to go into hiding, damage state security, and obstruct the investigation.

Interaction includes the exchange of information and the effective combination of the efforts of investigators and operational units. This cooperation can be based on criminal procedure, departmental regulations, or established practice; in terms of duration and methods, it may be temporary or permanent.

In cases of high treason investigation, interaction is grounded not only in legal requirements but also in personal contact and communication skills. During the pre‑trial investigation phase, the activities of the bodies conducting OSA often begin with an investigator’s assignment; however, the methods for solving these tasks are determined by the investigative body.

The author concludes that during the investigation of high treason, it is most effective for the body conducting the proceedings to continue interacting with the specific OSA body and unit whose report initiated the criminal proceedings.

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GEVORG ISRAYELYAN

Doctor of Law, Associate Professor,

Head of the Scientific Research Center of

Applied problems in criminology of

National Bureau of Expertises of National Academy of

Sciences of the Republic of Armenia,

Lecturer of the Department of Law,

Political science and International relations at

Eurasia International University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59546/18290744‑2026.1‑3‑151

 

Annotation.

A comparative analysis, conducted by the author, showed the existence of such regulations that were not known to the previous criminal law. Thus, the main composition of sexual acts with a person under the age of sixteen lists the types of sexual acts – sexual intercourse, other sexual acts, including imitation of sexual intercourse and satisfaction of sexual needs. The latter expression was missing from the previous law. Besides, it is not indicated that the age of the victim should be known to the perpetrator. This approach is based on the fact that the sign of a crime must be recognized by the perpetrator. The Criminal Code used the phrase "depraved deed" instead of the "depraved acts" that took place in the previous law. This circumstance is due to the fact that the specified crime can also be committed by inaction. The term "depraved acts" in the previous Criminal Code was vague, as it was not clear what acts he was suggesting. The current Criminal Code specifies the range of relevant acts. Grooming is provided for as a sexual offense, which was not prohibited by the previous law.

As a result of the research, problematic regulations were identified, for the elimination of which the author formulated appropriate proposals.

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VIRAB HAMBARDZUMYAN

Lecturer at Yerevan State University,

Department of Criminal Law

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59546/18290744‑2026.1‑3‑135

 

Annotation.

The methodology for the examination of cold weapons lacks both scientific and legal value. The structural distinguishing characteristics of cold weapons established in the relevant standards are outdated and artificial and do not allow for an adequate differentiation between weapons and household items or other objects posing a public danger. From the perspective of threats to human life and health, such characteristics are not of material significance, and no forensic criterion, in and of itself, is capable of determining the actual level of an object’s public dangerousness.

In this context, foreign experience is more consistent with contemporary trends and challenges. The successful localization and implementation of foreign legal regulations into domestic legislation would make it possible to neutralize the problems and risks identified within the scope of the present research.

Based on the results of the research conducted within the framework of the article, it is proposed to decriminalize the carrying of cold weapons, to remove the existing legal regulations concerning cold weapons from the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On the Regulation of Arms Circulation,” and, at the same time, to introduce a new corpus delicti in Chapter 35 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia establishing criminal liability for carrying, in a public place, a knife (with the exception of a folding knife with a blade or edge length of up to 60 mm), a knuckle‑duster, a club, a baton, or any other cutting, piercing, striking, or crushing object.

The research conducted within the framework of the article also demonstrates that the legislator, by treating the commission of an offense through the use of an object or means specifically prepared or adapted in advance for inflicting bodily injury as an aggravating element of the offense under the current Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, has, in comparison with the former Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, unjustifiably narrowed the substantive scope of the said qualifying circumstance.

In light of the foregoing, it is also proposed to revise the wording of the aforementioned criminal law provision.

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ALISA AMIRKHANYAN

Senior Prosecutor at the Department of Organizational, Supervisory and

Legal Support Affairs of the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Armenia

Applicant at the Chair of Criminal Law of Yerevan State University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59546/18290744‑2026.1‑3‑118

 

Annotation.

The prevention of corruption and the fight against it have been declared as priorities of strategic importance In the Republic of Armenia.

In such circumstances, it is important to introduce new internationally accepted tools for fighting corruption and their continuous improvement, aimed at combating corruption both in the civil, administrative and criminal spheres.

In this context, the analysis of the characteristics of the crime of illicit enrichment becomes more important.

Accordingly, in the article, an attempt was made to address the subject of illicit enrichment, according to domestic legislation, as well as international experience. The article, among other things, refers to the relevant provisions of the RA Law “On Public Service” (both in force at the time of the criminalization of the article and currently in force), the legal positions formulated by the relevant decision of the Constitutional Court of the Republic of Armenia, international legal documents considered as guidelines in terms of defining the subject of illicit enrichment, as well as domestic legislative regulations of about two dozen foreign countries and presenting relevant conclusions.

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DIANA AVETISYAN

Postgraduate student at the Department of Criminal Law and

Criminal Procedure Law Institute of Law and Politics of the

Russian-Armenian University

DOI: https://doi.org/10.59546/18290744‑2026.1‑3‑107

 

Annotation.

The article is devoted to the analysis of the principle of legality (Nullum crimen sine lege) in the context of its consolidation in the national legislation of the Republic of Armenia and compliance with the provisions of the Rome Statute of the ICC. The purpose of the study is to identify the distinctive features of this principle and the specifics of its application at two levels of legal regulation. The provisions of the new Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia reflecting modern approaches to ensuring legality in criminal law are discussed. Special attention is paid to the analysis of law enforcement practice in Armenia, aimed at observing the principle of legality and ensuring legal certainty when bringing to criminal responsibility. The comparative legal analysis makes it possible to identify both the features of the national approach and the degree of compliance with international standards.

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