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The National Security Service of Armenia (NSS) says it has uncovered a large network of spies created by foreign intelligence agencies and operating on the territory of the country. Dozens of Armenian servicemen were involved in the spy network.

In order to reduce the risk of exposure, numerous fake accounts with the names and photos of Armenian women were created on social media, through which foreign intelligence officers established contacts with Armenian military personnel, the NSS said in a statement on Thursday.

They recruited some 20 Armenian military officers, who were offered money in exchange for secret information on locations of various military units, command staffs, military equipment, engineering structures, etc.

All servicemen lured by the intelligence agencies possessed the relevant information by virtue of their official status. The latter used mobile applications to send their "handlers" the information available to them and obtained at the request of foreign intelligence services, thus committing treason.

The law enforcement authorities revealed the identities of the Armenian citizens involved in the spy network, as well as the amount and nature of the information they had passed on to the foreign intelligence agencies.

In the course of the investigation, more than 30 searches were conducted, numerous documents and items significant for the criminal probe were found and seized, including copies of receipts confirming the transfer of money in foreign currency.

A total of 19 servicemen were arrested as part of the criminal investigation on suspicion of treason, with some of them confessing to the crime.