Armenia has recorded an unprecedented increase in reports concerning crimes against state security and the constitutional order since 2018. This was stated by former National Security Service Director and co-founder of the Union of Reserve Officers of the NSS, Mikael Hambardzumyan.
According to him, the statistics raise serious concerns and deserve close analysis.
Hambardzumyan noted that from 2018 to 2026 more than 90 public reports related to crimes against state security and constitutional order were recorded.
“This is an unprecedented increase. If the number of such crimes is truly this high, it means that something is seriously wrong in our country,” the former NSS chief stated.
The Statistics Require Careful Examination
In Hambardzumyan’s view, these figures should become the subject of serious analysis because they concern offenses directly related to the security and sovereignty of the state.
At the same time, he highlighted another problem. In recent years, terms such as “treason,” “state betrayal,” “espionage,” and “foreign agent” have been used excessively in public and political discourse.
As a result, their meaning and legal significance have gradually become diluted.
“This rhetoric has been lowered to such a level that sometimes it feels as though neighbors are arguing with one another and immediately begin accusing each other of being spies or traitors,” he said.
What Constitutes Treason Under Armenian Law
Hambardzumyan also explained how Armenian legislation defines state treason.
According to him, treason is regulated under Article 418 of Armenia’s Criminal Code and is classified as an especially grave crime.
The offense is punishable by imprisonment from 15 to 20 years or by life imprisonment.
He emphasized that only a citizen of the Republic of Armenia can be charged with state treason. If similar actions are committed by a foreign national, the offense is classified as espionage.
Main Forms of State Treason
The former NSS director outlined several actions that may constitute state treason under Armenian law.
The first involves joining the enemy side during war or military operations.
The second concerns transferring state secrets to a foreign government, organization, or international entity.
Hambardzumyan stressed that the information involved must contain state secrets in order for this provision to apply.
The third form relates to cooperation between an Armenian citizen and a foreign intelligence service with the intention of harming Armenia’s interests.
According to him, even agreeing to cooperate, adopting a codename, or assuming related obligations may already constitute a completed offense, regardless of whether any information has actually been transferred.
The fourth form consists of providing assistance to hostile actions against the state by any means.
How Such Cases Were Investigated in the Past
Reflecting on his years in the national security system, Hambardzumyan said that treason investigations were always considered among the most important and sensitive cases.
Such investigations were typically entrusted to the most experienced specialists, and working on them was viewed as a sign of professional distinction.
He also noted that these cases were handled under strict secrecy and became public only after operational and investigative measures had been completed and sufficient evidence had been collected.
“ I do not remember a case where a person sent to court on such charges was later acquitted. These cases were treated with extreme seriousness,” Hambardzumyan said.
He clarified that he was referring to the period before 2018, adding that, in his opinion, the situation changed significantly afterward.