Criminal Case Opened in Artsakh's NSS Regarding Transfer of Minefield Maps to Turks

Recently, 24News, citing Boris Avagyan, a special representative for the President of Artsakh, reported that the British organization The HALO Trust, which was engaged in charitable work in Artsakh, had transferred maps of the minefields in Artsakh to Turkish intelligence services. This transfer allegedly allowed the adversary to successfully navigate the mined defensive areas of the Artsakh Defense Army during the 44-day war.

On March 24, the special representative received a notification from the National Security Service (NSS) of Artsakh, informing him that a criminal case had been initiated concerning the information he provided to 24News. The notification, signed by M.K. Harutyunyan, head of the NSS, stated, “We inform you that a criminal case has been initiated under the first part of Article 310 and Article 316 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Artsakh, related to your statements regarding The Halo Trust in mass media.”

It is worth noting that Avagyan had stated that he learned from reliable sources that The HALO Trust, which operated under the name of a British charitable organization and was involved in mine clearance efforts, acquired maps of the minefields belonging to the Armenian side and transferred them to Turkish intelligence services during its operational period in Artsakh.

“Because of this, during the war, the adversary was able to successfully traverse the mined areas. Under the guise of studying dangerous areas, this organization conducted reconnaissance operations throughout the territory of Artsakh,” Avagyan had remarked.