Pashinyan Appoints Arthur Gasparyan as Head of the National Security Service

Arthur Gasparyan has been appointed the head of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia. This decision was published on the e-gov.am information platform of the Armenian government.

“Pursuant to Article 15.1, Part 2, of the law on ensuring the security of persons under special state protection, Arthur Gasparyan is appointed as the Head of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia,” states the decision of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

It is noteworthy that Gasparyan previously held the position of Deputy Head of the National Security Service, from which he was dismissed today, March 4, ahead of his appointment as head.

Recall that the former head of the National Security Service, Sargis Hovhannisyan, was dismissed by the Prime Minister on September 10, 2023. Hovhannisyan had served in the National Security Service since 2004, holding positions from department head to service head. He was appointed head of the National Security Service in December 2020 and was reappointed in April 2023.

His actions came under scrutiny in May 2022 when he kicked a cameraman filming him during an opposition protest.

It is important to note that the National Security Service operates as an independent body under the Prime Minister, having been separated from the National Security Agency.