Domestic Violence in Moldova - The Advocates for Human Rights

violent acts that result in physical pain, intentionally hitting or beating, or systematicbeating). 167 Criminal Code Article 222 168 prohibits hooliganism, disruptive behavior thatviolates public order. It is used to punish family quarrels, particularly those that involvebehavior such as swearing, throwing and breaking furniture, or attempting to beat or kicksomeone. 169Armenia’s Administrative Code is also frequently applied in cases of domesticviolence. The article most often applied is Article 172 (minor hooliganism). 170Administrative infractions are considered less serious than criminal violations and are notpassed on to higher-level investigators. They are processed more expeditiously thancriminal cases and carry a lesser penalty. The original decision to deal with an incidentas an administrative offense is made at the police level. 171The Criminal Code includes several other levels of assault that are less frequentlyapplied to domestic violence cases. These include Article 105 (infliction of serious167 Article 110. Beating and torture(1) Deliberate striking or beating as well as other violent acts that result in physical pain are punishableby correctional work for a period of up to one year or by fine in the amount of ten to twenty times theestablished minimum wage or by public censure or imposition of measures of public coercion.(2) Systematic beating or other acts with the nature of torture, if they do not result in the consequencesindicated in Articles 105 and 106 of this Code, are punishable by imprisonment for a period of up to fouryears.168Article 222. HooliganismHooliganism, that is, intentional actions that constitute gross violations of public order and express anobviously disrespectful attitude towards society, is to be punished by imprisonment for a period of up toone year or by correctional work for the same period or by fine in the amount of twenty to thirty times theestablished minimal wage.Malicious hooliganism, that is, acts set forth in paragraph 1 characterized by exceptional cynicism orparticularly disrespectful behavior or committed in connection with the performance by the victim of hisofficial or public duty, as well as committed by a person previously convicted for hooliganism, is to bepunished by imprisonment for a period of one to five years.The acts set forth in paragraphs 1 and 2 of the present article, committed by using fire-arms or knifesor other weapons, or resulting in bodily harm, are to be punished by imprisonment for a period of three toseven years.169 Review of files, February 16, 2000 (Yerevan).170 Article 172. Minor HooliganismMinor hooliganism, that is, swearing in public, offensive accosting of other people, as well as otheracts in violation of public order and citizens’ security, is punishable by fine in the amount of one and a halfto three times the minimum established wage or by correctional work for a period of one to two months orby administrative detention for up to 15 days.171 Interview, February 22, 2000 (police chief, Yerevan).Minnesota Advocates for Human Rights, Domestic Violence in Armenia, December 2000 30