Armenian prime minister to appoint, dismiss head of special services

The head of Armenia's National Security Service (NSS) will be appointed and dismissed by the prime minister instead of the president, a relevant bill has been submitted to the parliament's Standing Committee on Defense and Security.

As Deputy Justice Minister Armenuhi Harutyunyan said, according to the current legislation, the Armenian National Security Service is subordinate to the Prime Minister, but the head of the Service and his deputies are appointed and dismissed by the decision of the President, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Armenian media.

After the amendments, this function will be transferred from the president to the prime minister.

Also, the amendments suggest that the head of the NSS and his deputies do not need to have a corresponding rank to be appointed. The Commission voted in favour of the amendments.