Armenian PM accuses former security chief of collaborating with foreign press service

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has accused Artur Vanetsyan, the former head of the National Security Service (NSS), of collaborating with a foreign press service.

Pashinyan made these remarks during a press conference, Caliber.Az reports citing Armenian media.

Pashinyan claimed that critics of the delimitation process are aiming for a military conflict and a change of power in the country, suggesting that this could only be achieved through the occupation of Armenian territory. He warned of the opponents' intentions to establish an illegitimate puppet government, leading to the erosion of the country's statehood and sovereignty, stating, "This is their scenario, and it is blatantly obvious."

The prime minister further alleged that this agenda is supported by individuals he referred to as "drug lords" residing in other countries, implying former SPISA head Mihran Poghosyan, as well as representatives of the criminal underworld who allegedly work for foreign intelligence services.

Pashinyan also addressed the situation involving a former high-ranking official whose conversations were reportedly intercepted and partially published. He claimed that the recordings were not fully disclosed and suggested that foreign intelligence services were behind the wiretapping. Pashinyan specifically mentioned Artur Vanetsyan, implying that Vanetsyan may have been involved in unauthorized negotiations with former president Serzh Sargsyan's associate, Mikayel Minasyan, regarding the transfer of ownership in the Zangezur copper and molybdenum combine to Vanetsyan's brother. Pashinyan concluded by calling for the return of the "illegally acquired stake" to the Republic of Armenia.