Former Ombudsman Appointed Head of National Intelligence Service

By the decision of the Prime Minister, the former Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Kristine Grigoryan, has been appointed as the head of the National Intelligence Service of Armenia.

“Guided by part 1 of Article 19 of the Law on External Intelligence Activities and the National Intelligence Service,” it is stated in the decision, “Kristine Grigoryan is appointed as the head of the National Intelligence Service.”

Kristine Grigoryan resigned from her post as Ombudsman in January this year, stating that she was stepping down to pursue other employment opportunities without providing further details on what that employment might be. There were reports suggesting that she would take a position within the state system.

Grigoryan was elected as Human Rights Defender in January of the previous year through a closed secret ballot by deputies, with votes solely from the ruling party members.