Armenia

1. Under what circumstances can a stolen vehicle be seized in your country?

• A stolen vehicle can be seized (taken under arrest) in our country if there is information about the search of the vehicle declared by a country (international search, federal search, etc.). A stolen vehicle is seized according to the art.24.5 of the law on the Police of RA and according to the articles 232, 235 of penal procedure code. In this case appropriate materials are prepared or a criminal case is instituted.

1. What channels are used to notify the owner of the vehicle’s location (Interpol or other)?

• The owner of a stolen vehicle can be notified about the location of the vehicle by any means of communication (by e-mail, post, etc.) by the competent investigation body dealing with it. Taking into account the fact that such cases are specific to the vehicles stolen abroad Interpol channels are used as well.

1. Who is responsible for the storage of seized vehicles?

• The respective police service dealing with the investigation of the stolen vehicle is responsible for the storage of seized vehicles. The seized vehicle is stored in the penalty area by the respective police services or is passed for storage to its latest owner.

1. Are there any costs associated with storage of a seized stolen vehicle and who is responsible for these costs?

• Seized stolen vehicles are stored in the penalty area of the Road Police of the Police of RA. At present the storage of a seized stolen vehicle is free of charge.

1. How does a stolen vehicle get restored to its legal owner?
   Do the police have authority to restore the vehicle?
   The police do not have authority to restore a vehicle.
   Is it the local court who authorizes release of the vehicle?
   The first instance court can make a decision to release a vehicle.
   Is it necessary to have a “commission rogatoire” to recover the vehicle?
   Yes, a “commission rogatoire” is necessary on the part of the competent authority who declared searchto recover the vehicle.
   What documentation does the owner have to provide in order to recover the vehicle?
   The owner or the competent body of the requesting party is required to present documents confirming the ownership of the vehicle, technical parameters of the vehicle, number of the criminal case, information on the body which conducts the criminal case.
2. Are there any time limits associated with recovery of the vehicle? (i.e. after a certain period of time the vehicle becomes the property of the state or police, etc.)?

• The issue of time limits associated with restitution is being considered by competent authorities at present.

1. Please give details of relevant legislation

• Relevant legislation is under discussion at the moment.

1. If the law in your country precludes the restitution of a stolen vehicle to its original owner, please give the reasons why

• The decision taken by judicial authorities regarding the refusal to restitute the stolen vehicle is connected with some circumstances and legislative provisions.

1. Does your country have any bilateral treaties, conventions, or agreements with other countries dealing with the recovery of stolen property? If so, please describe how they operate and give details of the countries concerned

• The Republic of Armenia is signatory to the convention about mutual assistance between countries of the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States). Mutual conventions and agreements are periodically signed between Armenia and other countries among them the European Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.

1. Reference point, for assistance in case of difficulties

• Contact person: Detective Shamamyan Suren,
  Telephone No. (374.10) 28-71-23

Last update: February 2007