The NSS Prohibits Unauthorized Filming: Which Neighboring Country Has Complained?

The National Security Service (NSS) has presented to the government a draft amendment to the Law on State Border of the Republic of Armenia, proposing to prohibit the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and filming of the neighboring state's territory without the appropriate permission, as well as to prevent the filming of engineering structures and obstacles located in the border zone, along with buildings, constructions, observation posts, and vehicles used by border troops.

According to the NSS, the necessity of these legislative changes arises from the fact that the use of filming devices and unmanned aerial vehicles in the border strip of Armenia is not currently regulated by law. Filming conducted by residents of border villages or tourists does not escape the attention of representatives of the neighboring country's border service, which has led to complaints regarding the actions noted in our recent communications.

“Moreover, the use of filming devices and unmanned aerial vehicles can have a severely negative impact on the security of the Republic of Armenia's state border, and thus, it is appropriate to impose certain restrictions on the use of these devices in the border strip,” the justification for the draft states.

The draft was included in today's government meeting under non-reporting items and received the government's approval.