What we talked about:

- The concept of “thieves-in-law,” its structure, unwritten laws and network of criminal institutions.

- Armenia’s government has drafted a bill to fight against this criminal underworld

- Historical roots of thieves in law in the Soviet Union: A time period when these crime bosses were called in to keep “order” thus giving them “wings” and legitimacy.

- Police usually cooperate with thieves-in-law.

- Thieves-in-law known to support politicians and political institutions

- Need for a change in people’s mentality; even today, many people prefer to ask for help or solve issues through thieves-in-law rather than through the police or the criminal justice system.

- The issue is widespread in Armenia.