Announcement

Collapse
No announcement yet.

Decriminalization?: Recent Gang Fight In Gyumri Likely To Speed Up E

Collapse
X
 
  • Filter
  • Time
  • Show
Clear All
new posts

  • Decriminalization?: Recent Gang Fight In Gyumri Likely To Speed Up E

    DECRIMINALIZATION?: RECENT GANG FIGHT IN GYUMRI LIKELY TO SPEED UP ERADICATION OF 'CULTURE OF THE MOB' IN ARMENIA

    ANALYSIS | 29.04.13 | 11:42

    By NAIRA HAYRUMYAN
    ArmeniaNow correspondent

    The incident which recently occurred in the second largest Armenian
    city of Gyumri where two clans engaged in a gun battle in broad
    daylight and most importantly the drastic response of the authorities
    to similar methods of asserting influence on local politics have given
    many experts reasons to talk about the beginning of
    'decriminalization' of Armenia. But everyone now is wondering what
    will be introduced instead of the uprooted 'thief' rule to fill the
    gap.

    For many years there has been family feud in Gyumri between two local
    clans of politicians - ex-mayor Vardan Ghukasyan representing the
    ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) and MP Martun Grigoryan, of
    the Prosperous Armenia Party (PAP). The latest in the series of
    shooting incidents between representatives of the two clans took place
    on April 23 when a Grigoryan crony was killed and another one was
    wounded. Ghukasyan's nephews were arrested on suspicion of carrying
    out the crimes.

    Ghukasyan has not concealed his 'revanchism' after being effectively
    ousted from big politics last year. In 2012, President Serzh Sargsyan,
    who also leads the RPA, refused to support Ghukasyan as a candidate
    for reelection as mayor, instead the ruling party backed Samvel
    Balasanyan from PAP. After being elected to the office Balasanyan
    accused Ghukasyan of committing brazen financial violations and of
    abusing his powers otherwise, but the controversial former mayor of
    Gyumri has never been brought to account for that. This is
    particularly the reason why many in Gyumri still remain skeptical
    about the sincerity of the authorities when they speak about their
    strong intention to 'decriminalize' the city.

    Vladimir Gasparyan, who was appointed chief of police in late 2011 and
    is known for his tough nature, has declared a crusade against
    organized crime in Armenia. After the incident in Gyumri on orders
    from Gasparyan Ghukasyan himself was taken to a police precinct, but
    was released shortly. While in Gyumri the chief of police made a
    number of remarkable statements. He said that some politicians had
    phoned him and asked "not too press the guys too hard". "I don't
    understand, are you mobsters or members of parliament?" said Gasparyan
    in a public reply to unnamed politicians.

    The culture of the Mob (or thieves in law as it has generally been
    referred to in former USSR republics) still exerts considerable
    influence on political, social and economic affairs in post-Soviet
    countries. Laws of 'justice' of the underworld are still very much
    alive at the levels of everyday life, among teenagers in schools,
    among conscripts and even officers in the army, etc. They also have to
    be "reckoned with" in the administration of justice by the state, in
    the distribution of state procurement orders and other crucial public
    affairs.

    The criminal world is supranational, and now that an attempt is being
    made in Armenia to strengthen the monolith of national power, it will
    inevitable lead to the marginalization of the 'thieves'. Apparently,
    this was the reason for the appointment of Gasparyan as chief of
    police. When introducing the newly appointed official in November 2011
    President Sargsyan said that the post required "a person of this
    particular breed". Apparently, he meant that the chief of police
    should have the guts to oust the "thieves in law".

    Perhaps to prove his resolution to get rid of the 'thief' culture
    within the police system over the past week Gasparyan sacked two of
    his subordinates who obstructed the work of journalists and treated
    them disrespectfully. Experts say it is crucial for Gasparyan to
    create an image of himself as of a man for whom the current system of
    "cronies and outsiders" does not work.

    Some also believe that this process is taking place against the
    general backdrop of Armenia seeking to detach itself from the
    post-Soviet space and start moving closer to the Western environment.

    However, many notice that instead of the rules of the criminal world
    comes not a state law, but a new 'power', which is, unfortunately,
    based not on a strict equality before the law. This is evidenced by
    one of the expression made by Gasparyan, who said that if the clans in
    Gyumri behave badly, he will "organize their emigration". In fact,
    here the matter concerns not a legal punishment for the offense, but
    expulsion from the country.

    http://www.armenianow.com/commentary/analysis/45675/armenia_gyumri_criminal_city_vardan_ghukasyan_shoo ting

Working...
X