The first case heard by Monaco’s Criminal Court since the opening of the new judicial year has ended with a firm custodial sentence, setting a clear tone for the year ahead…
A 51-year-old Beausoleil resident, holding dual Russian and Armenian nationality, was sentenced to six months in prison and barred from entering Monaco for five years after being found guilty of stealing more than €6,000 worth of luxury items and repeatedly failing to settle bills.
According to Monaco Tribune, which first reported the verdict, the offences included the theft of a designer mink coat and a Dolce & Gabbana handbag from Monaco boutiques, followed by separate incidents in which she dined at a restaurant without paying and failed to reimburse a €500 taxi fare. During the hearing, the defendant reportedly displayed provocative behaviour, interrupting the court and refusing to acknowledge the seriousness of her actions.
The presiding magistrates ruled that the accumulation of offences, combined with a lack of remorse, warranted immediate incarceration and strict exclusion from the Principality.
The sentencing comes just over a week after the ceremonial opening of the 2025–26 judicial year on 1 October, during which court officials reaffirmed Monaco’s commitment to accessible justice, digital efficiency and unwavering protection of public order. Priorities for the year include faster procedural timelines, enhanced international cooperation and continued work in anti-money laundering enforcement.
If this landmark case is any indication, judicial authorities appear determined to match words with action.
