NSS Presents Project to Government to Ban Unauthorized Photography of Neighboring State's Territory

The first item on the agenda of the Government meeting on March 18 is the project presented by the National Security Service (NSS) regarding amendments to the "Law on State Border". The project proposes to ban the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and take photographs of the territory of neighboring states without appropriate permission, as well as of engineering structures and fortifications located in the border strip, and buildings, constructions, observation posts, and vehicles used by border protection forces.

The justification for the project states that the necessity of its adoption is conditioned by the current lack of legal regulations regarding the use of aerial photography devices and unmanned aerial vehicles in the state border strip of Armenia. It notes, "The filming conducted by residents of border villages or tourists using photography devices and unmanned aerial vehicles does not escape the attention of the representatives of the border service of the neighboring state, which provides grounds for the expression of complaints from their side regarding the mentioned activities. Moreover, the use of photography devices and unmanned aerial vehicles can have a severely negative impact on the protection of the Republic of Armenia's state border, which is why it is advisable to implement certain restrictions on the use of photography devices, including unmanned aerial vehicles, in the border strip."

Recall that earlier the National Security Service had informed that journalists wishing to cover various topics in border areas of Syunik Province must obtain the consent of the NSS and submit a written request in advance.