November 2023 Armenian coup attempt allegations

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November 2023 Armenian coup attempt
Part of 2023 Armenian protests
Date2 November 2023;20 months ago (2023-11-02)
Location
Yerevan
Result Coup thwarted, plotters arrested
Belligerents
Flag of Armenia.svg Government of Armenia
National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia.png National Security Service 		Flag of Armenia.svg "National Salvation Uprising"
Allegedly supported by:
National Democratic Alliance [1]
Commanders and leaders
Flag of Armenia.svg Nikol Pashinyan
National Security Service of the Republic of Armenia.png Armen Abazyan 		A.M.
S.M.
E.T.
V.O.
K.S.
Casualties and losses
5 plotters arrested

On November 2, 2023, the Armenian government announced that it had foiled an attempted coup dubbed "Northern Leaflet drop" and the "National Salvation Uprising" by a group of anti-Government activists.

Contents

Background

The Armenian government at the time was facing serious pressure from militant factions within society to intervene in Nagorno-Karabakh and open the Lachin corridor. Just two month prior the National Security Service (NSS) arrested several members of the Khachakirner militia on charges of also trying to stage a coup. [2]

Plot

The plot began coordinating in May 2023, seeking like-minded people who had mostly served in the military, as well as people with knowledge to make explosive devices, substances, and coordinate groups for the attack. [3] The NSS also alleged that the plotters where in contact with some members of the Armenian political opposition, however, did not name who. [3]

One of the documents released by the investigation shows that the group was in contact with the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) in some capacity. [1] The leader of the NDA, Zhirayr Sefilian, did not respond to requests for comment on their alleged support by Radio Free Europe. [1] The NSS also alleged that the group met with a foreign born explosives expert in summer of 2023, and it was this meeting that tipped the NSS off to the existence of the plot. [3] On wiretapped phone calls held by the group, they talked about "sponsors" in both Russia and the United States, and that most of the plotters where veterans from the fighting in Ukraine. [3]

The plot would have seen drones drop explosives at a major protest as an act of terrorism which it would blame on the government in an effort to galvanize anti-Government protesters to join the plotters in seizing government buildings and murder government employees. [4] [2] [5] [6] Among the plot, the coup had the working name "Northern Leaflet Drop" and was coordinated primarily in Ukraine and Moldova also under the name “National Salvation Uprising.” [4] [7] [5] [6] Prior to the beginning of the plot, the suspects planned to move their families to Georgia. [4] [7]

Arrests

Five people where arrested on the suspicion of plotting a terror attack according to the NSS. [4] [2] [7] [5] The arrested individuals where identified by their initials; A.M., S.M., E.T., V.O., and K.S. [6] During the search of their apartments law-enforcement found firearms, ammunition, a drone with two gas cylinders, military uniforms, handcuffs, surveillance equipment, ten unused Russian SIM cards, and various computers and communications equipment. [2] [7]

Pre-trial hearings where finished on July 16, 2024, and there is currently an active court case to determine the guilt of the plotters. [3]

References

  1. 1 2 3 Aslanian, Karlen. "Armenian Authorities Report Another 'Terror Plot'". Radio Free Europe . Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Armenian authorities arrest five men for plotting terrorist act". ARKA. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 "Preliminary Investigation of Proceeding on Preparing Terrorist Act Named «Northern Leaf Fall» Completed". investigative.am. Archived from the original on 27 March 2025. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Ghazanchyan, Siranush. "Armenian NSS says terror plot thwarted". Armenian Radio. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  5. 1 2 3 "Armenian Authorities Foil Terror Plot, Apprehend Five Suspects". massispost. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  6. 1 2 3 "RA National Security Service Detected Case of Preparation for Terrorist Act (video)". sns.am. Retrieved 26 June 2025.
  7. 1 2 3 4 "Armenia National Security Service exposes terrorism preparation". News.am . Archived from the original on 6 November 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2025.

See also

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