Armenia’s National Security Service faces leadership transition Armen Abazyan leaves post

Armenia’s President Vahagn Khachaturyan has signed a decree officially dismissing Armen Abazyan from his role as Director of the National Security Service (NSS).

The decision was made on the recommendation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, under the constitutional and legal provisions governing national security appointments, according to reports from Armenian media cited by Caliber.Az.

The decree reads:

"Based on the proposal of the Prime Minister, pursuant to Part 1 of Article 133 of the Constitution and Part 2 of Article 2 of the Law 'On Amendments to the Law on National Security Agencies,' Armen Abazyan is relieved of his duties as Director of the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia."

Until a permanent successor is named, Abazyan’s duties will be carried out by his deputy, Andranik Simonyan, who has been appointed as acting head of the NSS.

By Tamilla Hasanova