11:46, 1 March 2023

YEREVAN, MARCH 1, ARMENPRESS. Armenian law enforcement agencies seek to introduce electronic monitoring to deter repeat domestic violence offenders from reoffending and to keep victim-survivors safe.

Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan presented a bill on introducing electronic tagging in preventing domestic violence at the plenary session of parliament on March 1.

The current law enables law enforcement agencies to conduct either “urgent intervention” or institute a “protection measure” in domestic violence cases, with the latter requiring a court order.

Citing international experience, Sargsyan said the electronic monitoring will increase effectiveness of protecting the victims.

The bill seeks to enable relevant authorities the power to order the offender wear the ankle or arm monitor, while the victim will have a notification device designed to issue a warning (both to the victim and police) in case of the offender approaching them.