Preventing and uncovering cases of preparation for murder are among the key areas of the Criminal Police’s consistent, round-the-clock work.

As a result of comprehensive operational-investigative measures carried out by Criminal Police officers, more than a dozen cases of preparation for murder were uncovered in 2025, while 8 cases were uncovered during the first nine months of 2026.

“This is a clear tactic employed by the Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs to prevent crime. Preventing or uncovering a crime at the preparation stage is a complex process, as we operate in a much more sensitive and challenging situation when we do not have clear facts. Identifying these facts and establishing them as evidence is, in itself, quite difficult. However, through the joint efforts of the Criminal Police and other services, we are able to uncover such cases,” said Armen Mkrtchyan, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.

Uncovering cases of preparation for murder is a complex and multifaceted process that requires the use of the full range of operational-investigative measures, as well as close cooperation with partner law enforcement agencies.

“The main challenges in uncovering cases of preparation for murder stem from the fact that these are latent crimes: individuals preparing to commit such crimes generally operate covertly, and it is crucial to detect the entire process of preparation at some stage,” said Vahe Musheghyan, Deputy Head of the General Department of Criminal Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

The recent prevention of a planned murder demonstrates the effectiveness of the operational-investigative measures consistently carried out by Criminal Police officers.

According to Vahe Musheghyan, the case is notable in that each of the parties involved had planned to murder the other and had acquired firearms to be used in the commission of the crime. As a result of complex and comprehensive operational-investigative measures conducted by Criminal Police officers over several months, the individuals were arrested and subsequently remanded in custody.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs attaches importance to the introduction of long-term, institutional mechanisms for crime prevention. To this end, a Crime Prevention Strategy is being developed, based on an analysis of the causes of crime and the development of systemic solutions aimed at addressing them.

“We must understand the causes of homicides and violent crimes in general. We have addressed these issues in the broader Crime Prevention Strategy,” said Armen Mkrtchyan, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.

Socio-psychological developments, intolerance, and the influence of criminal subculture are among the factors considered to contribute to crime, including crimes involving the use of violence.

“The measures we intend to take to curb, reduce and eliminate criminal subculture are of great importance. This is a priority for us,” said Armen Mkrtchyan, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs.

Guided by its commitment to ensuring public safety, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will continue its sustained efforts to develop unified approaches to crime prevention.