- Armenian Ministry of Defense warns about suspicious Telegram channels.
- These channels, though in Armenian, are suspected to originate outside Armenia.
- Media outlets urged to avoid referencing or spreading information from these channels.
- Call for media to verify defense-related information with the Ministry of Defense.
- Aim is to prevent the spread of potential disinformation.
Armenian Defense Ministry Alerts Media to Potentially Malicious Telegram Channels
Yerevan, Armenia – The Armenian Ministry of Defense has issued a public alert to media organizations regarding the recent activation of several anonymous Telegram channels with unknown origins. According to Aram Torosyan, the Press Secretary of the Ministry of Defense, there are strong suspicions and some information indicating that these channels were created outside the borders of Armenia, despite their content being in Armenian.
In a statement released on Saturday, April 5, 2025, Torosyan urged media partners to exercise caution and refrain from referencing these channels, as well as from republishing or disseminating any information posted on them. The Ministry of Defense is concerned about the potential for these channels to spread disinformation or engage in activities harmful to Armenia’s interests.
“Dear media colleagues,” Torosyan wrote, “Recently, several Telegram channels of unknown origin have become active on the Telegram platform. Despite the fact that the content published on these channels is in Armenian, there are strong suspicions and some information according to which these channels were created outside of Armenia. In this regard, we urge media representatives to refrain from referring to such channels, as well as from republishing and distributing the information posted on them.”
Furthermore, the Ministry of Defense emphasized the importance of verifying any information related to the army, military positions, and the defense sector in general. They strongly advised media outlets to conduct necessary checks with the relevant department of the Armenian Ministry of Defense before publishing any such content. This measure aims to ensure the accuracy and reliability of information disseminated to the public and to prevent the spread of potentially false or misleading reports. The Ministry of Defense’s warning underscores the ongoing challenges in the information space and the need for vigilance in the face of potential external influence.