External Counterintelligence Unit to Be Formed Within NSS

An external counterintelligence unit will be created within the National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia. The decision was adopted at the government session on November 6. The unit will be authorized to receive free access to the information systems necessary for its activities from state and local self-government bodies and organizations, including in remote access mode. The draft proposes to recruit citizens over the age of 30 for positions in the NSS border troops, special units, and positions requiring special professional knowledge.

At the same time, the drafts are proposed to be considered urgent due to the fact that from January 1, 2026, the authority of the Service's intelligence unit to carry out intelligence activities will cease, and it is necessary to carry out the legal and organizational transformation of functions related to the formation of the external counterintelligence unit in advance, so that in parallel with the cessation of external intelligence functions, the continuous and effective implementation of external counterintelligence functions is ensured.

The drafts on making amendments and additions to the law were approved at the government session and were considered urgent.