The NSS Reveals Criminal Proceedings for 4 Cases of State Treason and 5 Cases of Espionage

The National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia, in the scope of its legally entrusted authorities, has uncovered and thwarted numerous instances of serious and particularly serious crimes through counterintelligence, military counterintelligence, state border protection, and crime-fighting operations. Necessary operational and investigative measures were undertaken to reveal such crimes, including the prevention and neutralization of intelligence-subversive, diversionary, and terrorist programs and actions being prepared against the state’s security, sovereignty, the Armenian Armed Forces, and other military structures by foreign state security services, illegal armed formations, criminal groups, organizations aimed at violently overthrowing the constitutional order, seizing power, as well as by individuals.

In the first half of 2026, based on appropriate reports of apparent crimes submitted to the preliminary investigation authorities, 573 criminal proceedings were initiated. In cases regarding crimes against state security, 22 criminal proceedings were initiated, including 4 for state treason, 1 for attempted state treason and espionage, 1 for attempted espionage, 1 for state treason, espionage, preparation for seizing power, preparation to overthrow the constitutional order, 5 for espionage, 2 for unlawfully obtaining and publishing state secrets, and 5 for unlawfully disseminating information containing state secrets.

Regarding crimes against public security, 44 criminal proceedings have been initiated, including 1 for preparing a terrorist act, 2 for disseminating false information about terrorism, 3 for elevating or participating in criminal underworld hierarchies, and 3 for coercing or obstructing participation in elections or referenda.

As a result of measures undertaken for the protection of the Republic of Armenia's state border and ensuring safety at the borders, 197 criminal proceedings have been initiated for crimes against the management order, including 97 for illegally crossing the state border or attempting illegal border crossing (56 of which involved the use of false documents), 83 for forgery of documents, seals, stamps, or for the use or sale of forged documents or seals, and 3 for organizing illegal migration.

Concerning crimes against the legal traffic of drugs and potent substances, 44 criminal proceedings have been initiated, including 28 for illegal trafficking of drugs or similar substances and their derivatives, 12 for drug smuggling, and 4 for illicit circulation without intent to sell.

In cases of crimes against constitutional rights and freedoms, 33 criminal proceedings have been initiated, including 23 for receiving and/or giving bribes, 3 for obstructing or coercing participation in gatherings, 3 for violating voting rights, and 2 for hindering propaganda.

In terms of crimes against public service interests, property and economic activities, 115 criminal proceedings have been initiated, including 7 for bribery, 19 for abuse of office, 10 for official forgery, 12 for illegal entrepreneurship, 4 for money laundering, and 3 for organizing a financial pyramid.

Additionally, based on apparent crimes reported to the NSS, criminal proceedings have also been initiated for other offenses defined by the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia.