The Armenian Foreign Intelligence Service (FIS) is expanding its powers, potentially undermining the position of the National Security Service (NSS).

A new FIS bill proposes to give the agency direct access to state secrets without the need for NSS approval. Under current law, the NSS has the sole right to release confidential information to other government agencies, including the FIS. The draft law aims to change this process and give the NDB independent access to secret data. This would give the FIS greater autonomy and reduce the bureaucratic delays associated with obtaining approvals from the NSS.

The Armenian government is expected to approve the document, which will then likely find support in parliament. The government is unlikely to obstruct these changes.

This move is part of a broader trend to limit the power of the Armenian NSS.. End of 2022 The agency responsible for protecting high-ranking government officials was removed from the control of the NSS and placed directly under the authority of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. In addition, the NSS lost its unit investigating serious crimes related to corruption, smuggling and drugs; these powers were transferred to the Armenian Investigative Committee.

Government critics attribute the creation of the FIS to Pashinyan’s efforts to weaken Armenia’s relations with Russia. There are fears that the Kremlin has an interest in reigniting the conflict between Yerevan and Baku and overthrowing Pashinyan’s government.

According to unconfirmed reports, FIS director Kristine Grigoryan received training from Western intelligence services after resigning from her post as Armenia’s human rights commissioner in January 2023.

These changes come against the backdrop of growing cooperation between Armenia and Western intelligence agencies. In December 2022, shortly before the introduction of the government’s FIS bill, Richard Moore, head of the British foreign intelligence service, visited Yerevan. Senior US CIA officials have also visited Armenia and supported the idea of ​​changing Armenia’s foreign policy and national security orientation.

Among the Armenian prime minister’s main political opponents is former NSS director Artur Vanetsyan, who clashed with Pashinyan and was detained by the security services on suspicion of plotting a coup. Vanetsyan, a renowned graduate of the Russian FSB Academy, has close ties to the central apparatus in Lubyanka and leads the opposition party Hayrenik (“Homeland”).

These reforms by Armenia’s security leadership may be driven by a desire to secure loyalty to the government. There are fears within Pashinyan’s inner circle that disloyal security officials, bolstered by informal ties to Russian intelligence, may be orchestrating a powerful conspiracy to overthrow the government.