1 / 3

Operationally, it was a very alarming situation inside the country last night. Armed men invaded one of the police stations, and it was not clear what developments and what perspective there could be. Thanks to our power structures, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the National Security Service, that problem was liquidated. But, naturally, it gives us reason to think, Mr. Abazyan, that in fact there are still many weapons in the houses: Referring to the incident of the previous day, the Chair of the NA Standing Committee on Defense and Security Andranik Kocharyan said, when debating the relevant part of the report on the process and the results of the implementation of the Government programme of the Republic of Armenia (2021-2026) for 2023.

According to Andranik Kocharyan, there cannot be any armed illegal group in the RA. “There cannot be a hidden weapon. The shootings cannot be inside our country, we have many security problems, and we should feel strong inside our country,” the Committee Chair underlined, noting that all the future work of the power structures should be aimed at eliminating such manifestations as soon as possible.

The Director of the RA National Security Service Armen Abazyan presented the activities of the structure in the reporting year. According to the rapporteur, the National Security Service continued to implement the tasks set before it. In particular, in 2023, a number of fully equipped border outposts and commandant’s offices were put into operation. Border guard points were equipped and furnished with equipment, observation posts were built, technical equipment of the fortification and other furnishing works were carried out.

During 2023, a number of technical re-equipment works were carried out at Gyumri, Bavra, Gogavan and Zvartnots crossing points of the RA state border.

The necessary software for border crossing of the citizens of Armenia and Georgia with identification cards has been launched.

The specialty Management of Border Guard Troops was opened at Vazgen Sargsyan Military Academy.

Compared to 2022, the number of female soldiers in the border guard troops has increased by about 9 percent, compared to 2021, by about 20%.

In 2023, the certification process was started at the National Security Service, which was carried out on a phased basis. About 20% of the employees participated in the certification and had a positive result. The salary of certified personnel increased by an average of 57%.

During the reporting year, the work of ensuring the cyber security of the official websites of the state bodies, electronic platforms and other information systems was continued, including the coordination of the process of responding to cyber incidents in the direction of the mentioned systems. More than 2 million cyberattack attempts have been prevented.

14 major cases were revealed as a result of operative-investigative works carried out within the framework of the fight against drug smuggling and illegal circulation.

Part of the debate was held behind closed doors. The Committee took note of the report. The sitting was held on March 25.