In the course of studying cases of thefts recorded in the territory of the region and materials of criminal proceedings initiated on their basis, it was found out that a certain part of the theft was committed in the territory under the control of the Northern Customs House of the RA SRC.

 

In particular, in the RA Police Division were received messages and calls from various citizens regarding the fact that various parts of vehicles were stolen (from headlamps, electric batteries to the engine battery cover, headlamp protection frames, etc., and thus causing material damage of various sizes) purchased by the citizens of the Republic of Armenia from abroad in December 2019 and in January, which were located in Northern Customs House of Gyumri for customs clearance.

 

In one case, 1 of 4 parcels with spare parts left by a citizen for customs clearance was stolen from a closed warehouse of customs house.

 

Based on materials prepared in connection with these cases 5 criminal cases were initiated under various parts of Article 177 of the RA Criminal Code in April 2020, and the initiation of another 1 criminal case was refused on the basis of the absence of a complaint.

 

Analysis of the materials of criminal cases showed that there were certain similarities regarding the type, method, time, place and circumstances of the commission of a crime.

 

First, according to the letter received from the SRC, there were 7 video cameras in the territory of Northern Customs House that guarded the parking space of vehicles. It was found out that video cameras had limited memory, thus were preserved only video materials recorded from March 22 to March 25, 2020. It is noteworthy that the control over these vehicles was carried out by employees of the Security Department of Northern Customs House of the RA SRC, who, in fact, performed their work duties improperly, showing obvious inaction.

 

At the same time, according to the data available in the cases for storing these vehicles on the parking space, vehicle owners paid 1300 or 1600 AMD per day, and for which checks were given to them. However, no mutual agreements or bilateral documents on the fact of temporary parking of vehicles were drawn up, which makes it possible to avoid liability.

 

It was also found out that entry for the territory of the open space provided for car parking was open to unauthorized people, and the territory of customs house was not completely fenced.

 

It is more remarkable that in the specified closed warehouse the theft was committed under conditions when the employee of the security division kept the keys and the warehouse entrance door as well as the lock were not damaged. Besides, it was also found out that there was no video camera inside the indicated warehouse where the theft of the above goods was committed.

 

On the basis of the need to protect the property of citizens in the customs house territory from criminal manifestations and to eliminate the conditions and causes that give rise to crimes, the Prosecutor of Shirak region Karen Gabrielyan, in connection with this situation, turned with a petition to the Chairman of the RA SRC D. Ananyan.

 

The Prosecutor of the region proposed to take effective measures to show responsible behavior toward his/her duties by the employees of the Security Department of Northern Customs House of the RA SRC and be consistent in detecting and preventing crimes . Also, was touched the issue of finding out the scope of people who carried out their duties improperly as well as application of disciplinary measures against them and in case of finding out in their actions elements of criminal and legal nature turning to the law enforcement bodies. Besides it was also proposed with a view to prevent the future crimes to take active measures with a view to install video cameras in the territories, singled out for the provision of the property of citizens.