As a result of large-scale operative-search measures taken by the officers of the Department of Military Counterintelligence of the RA NSS, factual data were obtained on the establishment of an agent network by foreign special services on the territory of the Republic of Armenia and the implementation of hostile activities for reward to the detriment of the sovereignty, territorial integrity and external security of the Republic of Armenia.

In particular, as a result of the investigative actions carried out and the operative-search measures taken in parallel with them, officers of the military counterintelligence and regional subdivisions of the RA NSS, as well as investigators involved in the investigation team, during the preliminary investigation of a criminal case on the grounds of espionage and high treason initiated in the Investigation Department of the RA NSS, irrefutable evidence was obtained that employees of foreign special services created an agent network in the territory of the Republic of Armenia, which included persons serving in various subdivisions of the Armed Forces.

At the same time, in order to carry out their activities without impediment and reduce the risks of exposure, the persons who carried out espionage activities on social networks created fake personal pages with data of female representatives- data and photographs of Armenian women. After that, the representatives of foreign special services fluent in Armenian, having the opportunity to turn online dating into close relationships, made acquaintances with persons holding various positions in the RA Armed Forces, and then also offered to cooperate with them for a certain amount and provide them with information on military area, in particular about the locations of various military units of the RA Armed Forces, personnel, weapons, ammunition, the number and types of military equipment, military units and their command staff, defensive areas, engineering structures, equipment and so on.

Persons engaged in espionage activities in this way, involved in the agent network about two dozen RA citizens who had held various positions in the RA Armed Forces and on duty had the opportunity to access information and documents that constitute state and official secrets.

The mentioned servicemen gave their consent and, through various mobile applications, transferred to representatives of various foreign special services in parts, military or other information that became available to them on duty or collected at the request of representatives of foreign special services, committed treacherous acts to the detriment of the Republic of Armenia.

As a result of criminal procedural and operative-search combined measures during the preliminary investigation of the criminal case, it became possible to identify the identities of the RA citizens involved in the agent network, to find out on their part the volume and content of military and other types of information transmitted to the employees of foreign special services, to prevent further transmission of new information for the implementation of hostile activities.

During the preliminary investigation more than three dozen searches were carried out and objects, documents of significant importance for the criminal case were found and seized, including original documents containing military information, as well as samples of receipts confirming the circumstance of payment in the form of currency for the transfer of collected information on assignment from foreign intelligence.

During the preliminary investigation of the criminal case on the basis of direct suspicion of committing high treason, a total of 19 persons were detained, some of them gave confessionary statements.

The National Security Service warns that it will carry out consistent and uncompromising fight in the direction of detecting, preventing and disrupting the intelligence activities of special services of foreign states and other organizations, as well as individuals, and will continue to take effective measures aimed at protecting the security of the individual, society and the state, the constitutional order, rights and freedoms of citizens from external and internal threats.

At the same time, the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia urges the population to refrain from establishing acquaintances with suspicious persons through social networks or in other ways, especially from discussing issues with these persons about the locations of various military units of the RA Armed Forces, personnel, weapons, ammunition, quantity and types of military equipment, military units and other issues related to the security and defense of RA.

It is also reported that the legal regulations provided for by the RA Criminal Code for committing high treason provide for imprisonment up to life imprisonment, therefore, the Service calls for refraining from committing such especially dangerous for society and condemned illegal and immoral actions that endanger the external and internal security of the country, life and health of others.

The National Security Service reminds that Article 299 of the RA Criminal Code provides for an incentive norm, according to which a person who committed crimes of high treason or espionage is exempted from criminal liability if he voluntarily informed the authorities or assisted in another way to the prevention of further damage, therefore calls on the persons involved in the commission of the illegal act to voluntarily and timely cooperate with the Service and assist in the prevention of further damage.

Note: The suspect or accused of an alleged crime is considered innocent as long as his guilt is not proven in a manner prescribed by the Code of Criminal Procedure of RA - by the court decision entered into legal force.