Major Signed Cooperation Agreement in Baku Prison, Then Returned to Armenia and Provided State Secrets

The Deputy Commander for Material and Technical Support of the Armenian Ministry of Defense N Military Unit, identified as A.N., who holds the rank of Major, was taken captive along with another serviceman, A.T., in July 2021 in the Ishkhanasar area of Syunik Province. They were transporting food to their combat positions when they found themselves in enemy-controlled territory due to adverse weather conditions near what is known as the 'Black Lake.' They were subsequently taken to Baku.

According to the preliminary investigation conducted by the National Security Service’s investigative department, it has been established that A.N., while in captivity until September 7, 2021, signed a written agreement in one of the prisons in Baku to cooperate with foreign intelligence services.

On September 7, 2021, A.N. returned to Armenia and was appointed as the head of utility services in the N military unit in December 2021. During his tenure, A.N. was recruited by foreign intelligence services and handed over state secret information to a representative of those services, thereby committing treason against the Republic of Armenia, detrimental to its territorial integrity and external security, in exchange for $20,200.

On February 28, 2023, the supervising prosecutor decided to initiate public criminal proceedings against the relevant official of the N military unit under Article 299, Part 1 of the RA Criminal Code (treason), and charges were filed against A.N. The preliminary investigation into the criminal case has been completed, and on March 6, 2023, the supervising prosecutor approved the indictment, and the materials of the criminal case were transferred to the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction in Yerevan.