Armenia
In 2020, Armenia and Azerbaijan entered a renewed period of armed conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh – a region of Azerbaijan occupied by Armenia.1 This situation led to a significant influx of weapons and ammunition supplied by foreign powers.2 The conflict also reportedly led to the prosecution of numerous incidents involving the illegal acquisition and theft of weapons and ammunition in the country.3
In terms of weapons and ammunition management, after the ceasefire, members of the Armenian ruling party notably proposed a bill to significantly loosen restrictions on the civilian possession of weapons with the aim of increasing the country’s defence capacities.4
1 “Armenia,” Rule of Law in Armed Conflicts Project (RULAC), Geneva Academy of International Humanitarian Law and Human Rights, updated September 6, 2017, www.rulac.org/browse/countries/armenia.
2 Pieter D. Weseman, Alexandra Kuimova and Jordan Smith, “Arms Transfers to Conflict Zones: The Case of Nagorno-Karabakh," Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, April 30, 2021, https://www.sipri.org/commentary/topical-backgrounder/2021/arms-transfers-conflict-zones-case-nagorno-karabakh.
3 "39 People Were Charged for Illicit Firearms Trafficking from Artsakh to Armenia During the War and After the War, 5 Were Sentenced to Imprisonment,” The Prosecutor General’s Office of the Republic of Armenia, March 31, 2021, https://www.prosecutor.am/en/mn/8125/.
4 Arshaluis Mgdesyan, “In Wake of War Defeat, Armenia Seeks to Loosen Gun Laws,” Eurasianet, May 12, 2022, https://eurasianet.org/in-wake-of-war-defeat-armenia-seeks-to-loosen-gun-laws.
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Further information
Accidental explosions
Since the Small Arms Survey began collecting data in 1979, one accidental explosion has been reported in Armenia (Table 1).
Table 1. Accidental explosions in Armenia (1979–2021)
Year | Location | Owner/manager | Deaths | Injuries |
1992 | Yerevan | State (military) | N/A | 7 |
Source: “Unplanned Explosions at Munitions Sites (UEMS) Database,” Small Arms Survey, updated December 15, 2021, https://smallarmssurvey.org/database/unplanned-explosions-munitions-sites-uems.
Cases of diversion
Insufficient information on the disposal of ammunition in Armenia.
Disposal
Insufficient information on the disposal of ammunition in Armenia.
Needs
No needs have been reported for Armenia.
