As a result of large-scale operative-search and cumulative criminal procedural measures taken by the employees of the Department of Military Counterintelligence and the Investigation Department of the RA NSS, the activities of another agent network created by foreign special services in the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh, which involved persons serving in various units of the Armed Forces, as well as former military personnel and some employees of state bodies of the Republic of Artsakh, were disclosed and neutralized.

In connection with the incident, during the preliminary investigation of the criminal case initiated in the Investigation Department of the RA NSS it was established that, in order to recruit the above-mentioned persons, carry out more unhindered and uncomplicated activities, and reduce the risks of exposure, representatives of foreign special services posted false advertisements on social networks for highly paid jobs in foreign countries as a condition, by opening the corresponding application, they were offered to fill in the personal and biographical data of the job seeker.

Later, the representatives of foreign special services offered to cooperate with them for a certain amount and provide information on strategically important facilities in Armenia and Artsakh, military equipment, military units, weapons, ammunition, military personnel, their numbers and locations, combat positions, documents containing state and official secret, etc.

In addition, in some cases, the recruited persons, at the suggestion of representatives of foreign special services, met with the latter in third countries, received pseudonyms, signed documents certifying the circumstances of cooperation with foreign special services, became full-time agents, agreed to report information about events taking place in the country in political and military areas, as well as provide documents containing state, military and official secrets.

For the complete and successful fulfillment of the assigned tasks, the representatives of foreign special services provided the recruited persons with the necessary technical equipment, including computers equipped with special software and hardware.

Within the framework of the criminal case, factual data were also obtained that some persons involved in the agent network had been informed in advance about the upcoming war against the Republic of Artsakh and the exact date of its start, in connection with which, on the instructions of representatives of foreign special services, they actively collected information before the start of the war and through various mobile applications, transmitted data to the representatives of foreign special services on the persons who had arrived and been accommodated in the hotels of the Republic of Artsakh, about the types, number, locations of air defense systems located on the territory of the Republic of Artsakh, about the installation data of the highest command staff, thus, before the start of the war, they provided the enemy with a real opportunity to make accurate calculations of forces and means, deliver pinpoint strikes, disable air defense systems, destroy warehouses of strategic importance.

During the preliminary investigation, on the basis of the immediate suspicion of committing high treason, 16 persons in total were detained, some of whom gave confessional statements. Motions were filed with the Court to choose arrest as a measure of restraint against 10 of them, which were satisfied.

In addition, some of the perpetrators of high treason were caught while carrying out their next task, and further transmission of information was prevented by the employees of the RA NSS.

The RA National Security Service, with full toolkit, continues to carry out consistent and uncompromising fight in the direction of preventing and disrupting the mentioned crimes that undermine the foundations of the state, assuring that the Service is fully in control of the operational situation and reassures that everyone involved in espionage activities will be identified and subjected to punishment or other criminal - legal influence.

At the same time, we urge the population, especially military personnel, to refrain from establishing acquaintances with suspicious persons through social networks or other means, especially from discussing issues related to the security and defense of RA with them and transmitting information.

The National Security Service again reminds that Article 299 of the RA Criminal Code also provides for an incentive norm, according to which a person who has committed crimes provided for under the articles on state treason or espionage is released from criminal liability if he/she voluntarily informs the authorities or otherwise contributes to the prevention of further damage, therefore, calls on persons involved in the commission of an unlawful act to cooperate voluntarily and in a timely manner with the Service and contribute to 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.