| November 2023 Armenian coup attempt | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Part of2023 Armenian protests | |||||||
| |||||||
| Belligerents | |||||||
 Government of Armenia National Security Service | "National Salvation Uprising" Allegedly supported by: National Democratic Alliance[1] | ||||||
| Commanders and leaders | |||||||
| Nikol PashinyanArmen Abazyan | A.M. S.M. E.T. V.O. K.S. | ||||||
| Casualties and losses | |||||||
| 5 plotters arrested | |||||||
On November 2, 2023, theArmenian 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.
The Armenian government at the time was facing serious pressure from militant factions within society to intervene inNagorno-Karabakh and open theLachin corridor. Just two month prior theNational Security Service (NSS) arrested several members of theKhachakirner militia on charges of alsotrying to stage a coup.[2]
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 theNational 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 byRadio 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 bothRussia and theUnited 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 ofterrorism which it would blame on the government via a concerted social media campaign 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 inUkraine andMoldova 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 toGeorgia.[4][7]
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 RussianSIM 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]
Plots and conspiracies (List) | |
|---|---|
| Before the 16th century | |
| 16th century | |
| 17th century | |
| 18th century | |
| 19th century | |
| 20th century | |
| 21st century |
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See also:  Coup d'état | |