Please Do Not Connect My Work with My Mother’s: Vanetsyan

After the government session, the Director of the National Security Service, Arthur Vanetsyan, commented on the issue of his mother, Margarita Azaryan, being relieved of her position as head of the Personnel Department of the Prime Minister's Office during a conversation with journalists.

“Let’s not personalize this process. My mother has worked in the public sector for many years, even when I was still in school. She continued to work while I was the director of the NSS. Please do not connect my work and my mother’s work, and I do not wish to make any further comments on this topic,” he said.

Vanetsyan also addressed the case of Deputy Minister of Health Arsen Davtyan, noting that Davtyan was arrested at the time of accepting a bribe, and the person giving the bribe has also been charged. However, considering his health condition and age, an alternative measure was chosen instead of detention.

The NSS director, addressing the directive received from the Prime Minister regarding the fight against fake accounts and misinformation, stated that caution is necessary in this regard.

“The fight against fakes should be very cautious and thoughtful. If there is no criminal element in the posts, it will remain unclear whether it’s a fake or an ordinary person; in this case, law enforcement has no grounds for action. If there is a criminal element in the post, then the NSS and law enforcement agencies are obliged to take appropriate measures to reveal that,” he said.

He noted that publications by anonymous, unknown users in society could have a negative impact, but the fight against fakes will not harm the process of freedom of speech.