Armenian PM orders National Security Service "purge" to uncover traitors

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has instructed acting Director of the National Security Service (NSS), Andranik Simonyan, to initiate a sweeping internal review of the agency, aimed at identifying “traitors and elements hostile to the authorities,” according to a report by Hraparak newspaper.

The report indicates that arrests may be expected soon as a result of this directive, per Caliber.Az.

While Pashinyan recently dismissed the previous head of the NSS, the publication suggests he remains dissatisfied with the agency's performance, particularly with the handling of the arrest of Armenian-Russian oligarch and head of the Tashir Group, Samvel Karapetyan.

According to Hraparak, Pashinyan criticised security forces for not staging “the show he wanted” during Karapetyan’s detention. The authorities are now reportedly keeping close watch on oligarchs linked to Karapetyan, monitoring who might follow his lead and attempt to enter the political arena.

Karapetyan was arrested on June 18 and placed in a two-month pre-trial detention on charges of publicly inciting the seizure of power. His detention came shortly after he issued a stark warning, condemning the government's recent actions toward the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC).

“If the country’s political leaders do not stop their campaign against the Church, we will intervene,” Karapetyan declared, defending the Church’s role in Armenian identity and history.

Following his statement, Armenian media outlets reported that law enforcement detained Karapetyan and conducted a search of his home. Several associates were also taken into custody. Official details about the case remain limited.

By Tamilla Hasanova