Ambassador: U.S. ready to support Armenia in law enforcement reform

ArmInfo.Chairman of the RA Investigative Committee Argishti Kyaramyan received a delegation led by newly appointed U.S. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary  to Armenia Kristina Kvien.

According to the press service of the Investigative Committee,  Argishti Kyaramyan congratulated Kristina Kvien on her assumption of  the post of Ambassador. He highly appreciated the participation of  the U.S.  Embassy in deepening cooperation between the law  enforcement systems of the two countries, strengthening democracy in  Armenia, sectoral reforms and developing the potential of the  Republic of Armenia in the fight against crime.

The head of the investigative body noted that the effectiveness of  cooperation was expressed by the quantitative increase in the  detection of transnational crimes, as well as by the detection of  crimes that have become more complex as a result of technological  development. And the development of new effective methods of  struggle, the ongoing technical and technological saturation  contribute to tangible achievements.

Argishti Kyaramyan especially noted the formation of a  computer-technical laboratory in the RA Investigative Committee,  which is of key importance in terms of obtaining electronic evidence  of cybercrimes and crimes committed in the field of high  technologies. With funding from the  U.S.  Department of State of  International Narcotics and Law Enforcement (INL), the Committee was  provided with the most modern software, a powerful server and other  equipment in this area, which made it possible to expand the  functions of the laboratory. In terms of its saturation, it is among  the best regional laboratories.

Ambassador Kvien noted that there are good traditions of close  cooperation between the U.S. Embassy and the RA Investigative  Committee, and she wants bring them to a higher level. She added that  the United States is ready to support Armenia in reforming the law  enforcement sector and to further develop the capabilities of the RA  Investigative Committee based on the priorities set by the Armenian  side.

Issues related to drug trafficking through online platforms, money  laundering using cryptocurrencies, interaction between the law  enforcement systems of the two countries in the fight against  cybercrime, as well as the implementation of targeted programs aimed  at improving the skills of investigators of the RA Criminal  Investigation Department in these areas were discussed. An exchange  of views took place on improving the effectiveness of mutual legal  assistance between the two countries.

The Ambassador was introduced to the computer-technical laboratory  operating in the Republic of Armenia, equipped with the assistance of  the United States. She got acquainted with the capabilities of the  laboratory for conducting a digital search for computer systems,  detecting and restoring digital traces, both in the criminal  investigation department and in other investigative bodies.