How to Deal with False Alarms: Martirosyan on the Topic

Due to the modern advancement of technology, it is impossible to determine who is behind a false alarm sent via email; even a well-educated school student can mask their email address so that no country's services can trace it. This was stated by information security expert Samvel Martirosyan in an interview with 24News, addressing the recent false alarms about the placement of explosive materials.

In his opinion, the problem should be solved differently, by enhancing security controls in crowded places. “It is understandable that the law requires responding to an alarm, but other mechanisms need to be considered. In fact, some employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations get disconnected from their work, and the entire state resource is concentrated on that alarm. Major institutions cease operations; moreover, inspections cannot be real. To check the entire airport, significant time is required. The security system must be strengthened, rather than following alarms. Generally, such information is unlikely to be accurate; terrorists do not operate in this manner,” he said.

According to Martirosyan, the aim of such calls is to create an atmosphere of fear in the country and to undermine public confidence in state institutions. It should be noted that for a considerable time now, false information about the placement of explosive devices has been sent via email regarding the metro, causing its operations to be suspended and citizens to be evacuated. On August 14, there was also a false alarm in the metro, at the Grigor Lusavorich Church, and in shopping centers regarding the placement of a bomb.

It is worth recalling that just hours ago, an email was sent to the Ministry of Emergency Situations' secretariat reporting that explosive devices had been placed at the Yerevan metro station and Zvartnots airport, which resulted in train traffic being halted at all metro stations. Inspections revealed that the alarm was false.