Artsakh's NSS Uncovers Case of State Betrayal

The National Security Service of the Republic of Artsakh has carried out operational-intelligence measures, discovering that a citizen of the Republic of Artsakh, an employee of the state system identified as A.H., had established contact through the Facebook social network in May 2021, posing as an employee of a foreign research university. This individual was approached by a representative of a foreign intelligence service who offered A.H. money to gather information regarding the situations in both the Republic of Armenia and Artsakh, specific incidents, and processes, all of which were purported to be utilized for scientific work.

A.H., accepting the offer, began providing information about the situation in Artsakh, social programs, visiting foreign citizens, and more. Some time later, at the invitation and financing of the foreign intelligence operative, A.H. traveled to Kyiv, Ukraine, on October 23, 2021, where he met with two representatives of the foreign intelligence service. In exchange for the information he had already supplied, he received $400 and expensive perfume, along with an agreement to continue providing interesting information for a monthly payment of $300.

After returning from Kyiv, A.H.’s collaboration with the foreign intelligence service took on a different aspect, as he began to operate under specific assignments, transferring information that, although not classified, could be used against the external security of both Armenia and Artsakh.

On January 28, 2022, A.H. traveled to Tbilisi, Georgia, at the invitation and financing of the foreign intelligence service to receive payment for the work done and further instructions. During that meeting, he received $1,500 and signed an agreement to collaborate, as well as receiving expensive gifts including perfume, a bag, and an iPhone 11 model phone, which was equipped with a special program through which he subsequently transmitted collected information as instructed.

Thus, until May 25 of this year, A.H. gathered and transmitted information regarding the economic situation of the Republic of Artsakh, the social and political conditions in both Artsakh and Armenia, specific processes, the activities and structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh, the stationed Russian peacekeeping forces, border incidents between Armenia and Azerbaijan, the number of citizens of Artsakh forcibly displaced due to the war, the support provided to them by the state, the atmosphere prevailing in Artsakh, and various processes, which have significantly compromised the external security of Artsakh.

The National Security Service of the Republic of Artsakh continues its active and persistent operations, assuring that the uncovering and disruption of such incidents is a priority and a main direction of their service. It also reminds that under Article 310 of the Criminal Code of Artsakh, that is, State Betrayal, a person who has committed the specified crime is exempt from criminal liability if they have voluntarily informed the authorities or assisted in preventing further harm, and if their actions do not fall under another criminal composition.

Notice: A suspect or accused in an alleged crime shall be presumed innocent until proven guilty by a legally effective court verdict under the criminal procedure code of the Republic of Artsakh.