Still to Determine Whether the NSS Had Permission for Operational Filming, Says Zeynalyan

A service investigation has been appointed by me regarding the information published by the NSS to uncover and present comprehensive and objective information to the public, Justice Minister Artak Zeynalyan said in an interview with journalists following today’s government meeting, responding to the investigation conducted by the NSS in one of the penitentiary institutions.

"First, it needs to be clarified whether there was permission to conduct operational filming or not. The service investigation will determine what was legal and what was illegal. I cannot provide a legal assessment; naturally, this case will become subject to judicial oversight, and it is the judicial authority that will evaluate its legality," Zeynalyan noted.

According to him, the searches conducted by the NSS took place at the Armavir penitentiary institution, and the head of the prison has submitted a request for resignation.

"We have held discussions, conducted consultations regarding the incident, and the head of the penitentiary has submitted a request for resignation. I will approve the request. The request of the head of Armavir penitentiary is to be registered at the Ministry of Justice today. He has formed his will freely and expressed his will freely. It is his own decision, but certainly, these (i.e., NSS searches) are interconnected," the minister stated.

It is noteworthy that according to the NSS press center, unexpected searches in the penitentiary institution resulted in the discovery of Wi-Fi devices, tablets, SIM cards, and mobile phones in built-in hiding places within the cells of certain detainees. The surprise searches also revealed that elementary security rules were not being maintained in the detention facility. In particular, the feeding doors of some cells were open, certain detainees were being kept under privileged conditions, and the room of the "guard" in one of the buildings was completely open, with him standing near the entrance from the outside.