Service

The history of the Armenian security authorities is inextricably linked with the history of our people that go deep into the millennia.

The studies indicate that even during the Urartu period (IX-VII centuries B.C.) intelligence and counterintelligence activity was put on state bases and was one of the directions of state activity. In ancient and medieval Armenia, security matters were handled by both entire state bodies (ministries, agencies) and individual state officials. The protection of military and other secrets was in the centre of attention as well.

The archived data, though being scarce, provide a basis to assume that the special services of Armenia were an integral part of the security system of the First Republic of Armenia.

Under the difficult conditions of 1918-20 the important structure functioned as an intelligence and counterintelligence unit of headquarters of the RA Military Ministry.

The core of the activities of the special services was the fight against the hostile activities of foreign states.

With limited human resources and scarce opportunities, the required data on the deployment of forces in Transcaucasia, the movement of troops and the destructive activities, were obtained.

A number of spies were identified, including the foreign diplomat, who was neutralized and expelled from the country as a persona non grata.

A few days after the establishment of Soviet regime in Armenia, on December 6, 1920 the 1st Decree adopted by the Revolutionary Committee of Armenia referred to the establishment of Emergency Committee (EC).

Nikolay Ayvazov (Ayvazyan) was appointed the first chair of ASSR EC. Since January, 1921 the service was headed by the well-known Bolshevik Shavarsh Amirkhanyan, whose deputy was Sergey Melik-Osipov (he headed the system in 1924-1929). Since March, 1929 to October, 1930 Sedrak Margaryan, Hayk Petrosyan, Sedrak Otyan, including their predecessor Sergey Melik-Osipov, became the successors in the state administrative system of the Armenian SSR in 1937-1938, who then became the victims of Stalin's repressions.

During the Great Patriotic War and the post war years more than 260 participants of the war, who had bravely fought on different fronts, served in the state security authorities of Armenia.

On March 13, 1954 the Presidium of the Supreme Council of USSR passed a resolution to establish a Committee for State Security (KGB).

As a result of the nationwide referendum of 21 September 1991, the independence of Armenia became a reality, and from the very first the issue of restructuring of the security authorities became the order of the day.

According to the law on the structure and composition of the government of RA, adopted on December 4, 1991 the Committee for State Security (KGB) was renamed the RA State Directorate of National Security.

The officers of the state security authorities participated in the battles both for the protection of Armenia's borders and for Artsakh.

In 1995, the RA State Directorate of National Security was renamed the Ministry of National Security.

On 8 November 1996, the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of National Security merged into the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Security.

On November 13, 1999 the Ministry of Home Affairs and National Security was again separated into the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of National Security.

On 17 December 2002, by the Decree of the President of RA, the Ministry of National Security was restructured into the National Security Service adjacent to the Government of RA.

The recent history of the RA National Security Service authorities was marked by the revelations of foreign special services agents.

On June 28, 2018, the new charter and structure of the National Security Service of RA (RA NSS), a state body subordinate to the Prime Minister of Armenia, was approved; a separate subdivision was established to ensure economic security and anti-corruption functions.

The servicemen of the RA and Artsakh National Security Services, including those of Border Guard Troops, bravely participated in the 2020 Artsakh war resulting in hundreds of victims, wounded, whose names and sacrifices, as in the case of thousands of other Armenians, will forever remain in the memory of the Armenian people.

*(EC-Emergency Committee,GPU-State Political Directorate, NKVD-People’s Commissariat for Internal Affairs, NKGB-People’s Commissariat for State Security, MSS- Ministry of the State Security MI- Ministry of the Interior, SSC (KGB) – Committee for State Security, SDNS-State Directorate of National Security, MNS - Ministry of National Security, MINS - Ministry of the Interior and National Security, NSS - National Security Service)

Intelligence including foreign intelligence activities are the activities of national security authorities aimed at obtaining information on external and internal security threats and strengthening the foundations of the State.

The history of intelligence, especially the period of last two centuries, shows that the true intelligence officer, whatever character traits he has, first of all is known for his high intelligence and analyzing skills in particular. Intelligence is often defined as a battle field of highly intelligent people. Those are the people, who prove that intelligence activities during the war and peace are effective due to their quality rather than quantity. As intelligence history expert A. Sargsyan defined:

"The condition of the intelligence system of the State, in essence, reflects its “health”, i.e. its power and international reputation".
According to the testimony of legendary intelligence officer Gevorg Vardanyan and his wife Gohar Vardanyan:

"The profession of intelligence officer is far from being а romantic adventure and, in reality, is based on selfless devotion and hard work. Since the ancient times intelligence officers of all nations have been digging up information particularly the information that has been and is being hidden from "prying eyes".

The work of intelligence officer requires creative approach due to which it becomes possible to make a conclusion from “small things” and all known data, which sometimes may be of vital importance to the State. That’s why the intelligence officer is required to be not only in excellent mental and psychological condition but also have physical training, commitment, endurance, hardworking qualities etc.

A look back at the history makes apparent that these features are typical for the representatives of our nation. The passed millenniums: fight for motherland, struggles for the restoration of statehood and lack of resources, made us who we are.

This is the likely reason why Armenians are known for their brilliant specialists in the field of intelligence and with the direct participation and under whose leadership intelligence structures and later new directions of operational activities have been established".