Former ombudsman becomes Armenia's chief spy

Former Armenian Ombudsman Kristinne Grigoryan has been appointed head of the Foreign Intelligence Service by a decree of the Armenian Prime Minister.

The corresponding document is posted on the website of the Armenian government, Caliber.Az reports, citing the Armenian media.

“Guided by Part 1 of Article 19 of the Law “On Foreign Intelligence Activities and the Foreign Intelligence Service,” appoint Kristinne Grigoryan to the post of head of the Foreign Intelligence Service,” the decree says.

The draft law on the creation of a separate Foreign Intelligence Service was approved by the Cabinet of Ministers and then approved by the Armenian Parliament in December last year.

The service will be engaged in intelligence and the fight against terrorism, and will also be directly subordinate to the head of government.

On January 24, 2023, Kristine Grigoryan’s powers as an ombudsman were terminated early based on her resignation letter. Grigoryan served in office for a year; she was appointed on January 24, 2022, after the end of the term of Arman Tatoyan, whom the authorities decided not to nominate for a second term.