Armenian law enforcement under scrutiny amid US influence claims

In a stark commentary on Armenia's current relationship with the United States, Major General Tatul Petrosyan, a former high-ranking official in Armenia's Investigative Committee, has raised serious concerns about the growing influence of the US over the country's law enforcement agencies.

The United States is gradually gaining control over Armenia's law enforcement system by bribing officials within investigative and law enforcement agencies to acquire critical operational and intelligence information, he claimed while talking to Armenian media, as per Caliber.Az.

Petrosyan noted the increasing frequency of visits from high-ranking US law enforcement officials to Armenia. On August 27, Deputy Head of Armenia's Investigative Committee Arsen Ayvazyan met with an FBI delegation, discussing the structural and functional aspects of the Armenian investigative system and ongoing reforms. The following day, US Ambassador Kristina Kvien visited Sevan with Armenian Interior Ministry officials to oversee water patrol training conducted by US law enforcement representatives. In July, US Deputy Secretary of State Uzra Zeya mentioned that Washington had invested approximately $16 million in establishing a patrol police force in Armenia.

Petrosyan expressed concern over the US's growing influence, contrasting it with past cooperative efforts with law enforcement agencies from Russia, Europe, and the United States based on mutual experience-sharing without the current level of subordination. He lamented the current situation as one where Armenian systems are essentially being "bought and sold."

The Major General further alleged that all operational information and agent networks within the Armenian police could be handed over to the US. He also criticized what he sees as the US's tolerance of Armenian government actions that contradict American democratic and human rights norms, citing the use of flash-bang grenades by Armenian police against protesters on June 12, which resulted in over 100 injuries. Despite this, the US Embassy issued a statement the following day, urging protesters to exercise their rights responsibly and refrain from violence.

Petrosyan also pointed out that Western specialists are now closely monitoring Armenia's military department. During her visit, Deputy Secretary of State Zeya announced that a US representative would be permanently stationed within Armenia's Ministry of Defence. It was later revealed that this representative was from the State Department. Additionally, on September 3, the Armenian ministry reported that a specialist from a British military academy had conducted leadership courses for future Armenian officers.