NSS Cannot Deny Being Russian Agents, Says Vahagn Aleksanyan

During a meeting of the Standing Committee on Defense and Security, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Arpine Sargsyan was asked by Vahagn Aleksanyan, a member of the Civil Contract faction, if there is a criminal proceeding related to the publication of journalists' personal data and the incitement of hatred against them.

Aleksanyan noted in this context, "Recently, certain deplorable Telegram channels, which serve their wretched masters attempting to continue their miserable political struggle by all means, are targeting and publishing journalists' photos. It is one thing to publish pictures of MPs, but journalists generally enjoy a certain status of special protection in developed societies, yet their personal details are being disclosed, against which a campaign of hatred is being waged. I urge you to discuss this matter together and I will appeal for initiating such criminal proceedings as we are dealing with a phenomenon that is highly condemnable."

Responding to Vahagn Aleksanyan, Gegham Manukyan, a member of the Armenia faction, remarked, "The defamatory materials from journalists, such as allegations of being NSS agents and receiving millions from Russia, which are denied—add this as well."

In response to Manukyan, Aleksanyan asked, "Who has denied this? The NSS cannot deny whether or not they are Russian agents; they have stated that they do not have such information. Such matters could only be denied from Lubyanka, and they have not done so yet. Igor Korotchenko also mentioned that millions have been transferred."