Artsakh's NSS Warns Against Foreign Intelligence Activities

The National Security Service of the Republic of Artsakh, in line with its legislative responsibilities and powers, informs that as a result of ongoing operational and intelligence measures, the activities of a network of agents established by foreign intelligence services in the Republic of Artsakh continue to be detected and neutralized. Various methods and tricks are employed by enemy intelligence services to form this network.

Specifically, a representative of the Azerbaijani intelligence agency operates under the guise of a foreign analytical center, research institute, or similar organization, connecting with citizens primarily employed in the state system of Artsakh who have a wide range of contacts through social media. After some time of interaction, they offer to prepare scientific articles or analytical reports concerning Artsakh for financial rewards, emphasizing that these will supposedly serve the interests of Artsakh. Under this guise, the representative of the intelligence agency aims to arrange meetings with our citizens abroad, using the pretext of signing a cooperation agreement and expanding future collaborations.

In another case, an intelligence representative posing as a foreign national of Armenian descent establishes communications through social networks with individuals working in the state system of Artsakh and, through consistent steps, initiates romantic relations to attempt to organize meetings abroad. Moreover, to avoid raising suspicions, they do not even try to extract intelligence-related information about Artsakh during virtual communications.

A similar mechanism is also employed among military personnel on combat duty in the Defense Army. In this case, representatives of the Azerbaijani intelligence agency connect with Defense Army soldiers through social media and typically create virtual romantic relationships to extract information about troop locations, combat positions, personnel in combat areas, military equipment, and the capabilities of the Defense Army. By establishing financial and other interests for subsequent meetings, they take action at an opportune moment to organize meetings with these individuals abroad.

It is noteworthy that at this recruitment phase, more experienced spies can be involved in the process, presenting themselves as “patriotic” citizens who understand the difficulties and problems within the Armenian armed forces, former servicemen, and currently residing businesspeople abroad, as members of an international organization or fund, collecting military-related information for financial compensation, gradually completing the recruitment process.

The National Security Service of the Republic of Artsakh continues its active and consistent efforts, assuring that the detection and disruption of such incidents are its priority and main direction. The service simultaneously warns that all individuals involved in these processes will be exposed and punished to the fullest extent of the law.

To avoid such cases, the National Security Service of the Republic of Artsakh urges citizens to refrain from establishing connections with suspicious individuals through social networks or other means, especially discussing and transmitting information regarding the security and defense of Artsakh. In such situations, it is essential to contact the NSS of Artsakh immediately at the hotline numbers 047-94-41-26 and 41-26, which will assist individuals in avoiding severe punishment.

We also inform that there are already citizens who, having found themselves in such situations, contacted the NSS of Artsakh, ensuring their own safety and the normalcy of their lives, while preventing further destructive activities by the enemy.