NSS Responds to Statement Published on Yerevan State University Website

The National Security Service of Armenia has clarified its position regarding the response from the Faculty of Law of Yerevan State University (YSU), its academic council, and the student council of the faculty, which was published on the university's website.

“The National Security Service of Armenia, adhering to the principle of being as open and transparent as possible before society, deems it necessary to inform that the NSS message did not mention any specific instances of a law faculty lecturer receiving money or being arrested. This can be confirmed by rereading the text of the announcement if desired. Furthermore, the message did not aim to undermine the good reputation of the esteemed teaching staff and student body of the YSU Faculty of Law,” the NSS stated.

“Acknowledging and welcoming the faculty's academic council’s declared readiness to fight against corruption, we reaffirm that the NSS will continue to exercise its powers as mandated by law to combat corruption and engage in an uncompromising struggle against it.”

Avoiding unnecessary debate over the legal correctness and specificity of the terms used in the comments on the YSU website, as well as upholding the presumption of innocence, the NSS highlighted that investigations within the NSS are conducted strictly in accordance with the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia. Respecting the presumption of innocence, the service refrains from specifying the names and other identifying details of individuals suspected of committing apparent crimes, but does not hesitate to inform the public about factual data regarding a lecturer from another faculty at YSU receiving money to secure positive assessments of a law faculty student’s current examinations through personal connections.

Additionally, the NSS notes that there are currently no individuals arrested in connection with the criminal case initiated under relevant articles of Armenia’s Criminal Code by the NSS investigative department. The criminal case has been transferred to the General Prosecutor's Office according to investigative jurisdiction for further examination, and the actions of individuals suspected of committing the alleged crime will be evaluated accordingly during the pre-trial investigation,” the clarification reads.