Employees of Artsakh's NSS to Transition to Armenia's NSS Upon Citizenship

Legal foundations are proposed to appoint former employees of the Artsakh National Security Service (NSS) to relevant positions within Armenia's NSS. This was stated by Andranik Simonian, Deputy Director of Armenia's National Security Service, during a session of the National Assembly’s Standing Committee on Defense and Security.

The proposal suggests that when a vacancy arises in the state authorized body, the basis for continuing service will also apply to individuals who held positions in the Artsakh NSS as of September 19, 2023.

A provision is planned, according to which, when appointing positions in the authorized body as prescribed by law, the duration of service in Artsakh, the held position, and rank will be taken into account.

The law will apply to individuals who held positions in the Artsakh National Security Service as of September 19, 2023, and who are appointed to continue their service in the authorized body until July 1, 2025.

The amendment is intended to be temporary, with a deadline of July 1, 2025, after which it will cease to be in effect.

It has been emphasized that the proposed regulation can benefit individuals who will obtain Armenian citizenship. In a related report, the committee chairman, Andranik Kocharyan, positively assessed the proposed change, urging colleagues to vote in favor.

The proposal received a positive conclusion from the committee and is expected to be discussed during the extraordinary session of the National Assembly scheduled for July 11, following a special procedure.

It should be noted that during a government meeting on June 27, it became known that many employees of the Artsakh National Security Service expressed a desire to continue their service in Armenia’s national security bodies.