Armenia’s Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has defended his recent dismissal of several high-ranking officials, stating they “worked well” in implementing systemic changes during their tenure.
In an interview with Public Television, Pashinyan addressed the wave of departures that occurred this week, which included the Interior Minister Vahe Ghazaryan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure Gnel Sanosyan, Chairman of the Investigative Committee Argishti Kyaramyan, Head of the Anti-Corruption Committee Sasun Khachatryan, Head of State Revenue Committee Rustam Badasyan, and Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council Karen Andreasyan.
Pashinyan explained that leaders must maintain a degree of separation from the systems they oversee to maintain an external perspective. “There comes a point when reform-bringing leaders become too integrated into the system, making it impossible to continue reforms at the same pace,” he stated.
Regarding the controversial request for the Supreme Judicial Council Chairman’s resignation, Pashinyan emphasized he made a request rather than a demand, asserting his right to do so while maintaining his commitment to an independent judiciary.
The Prime Minister confirmed media reports that he communicated the dismissals via SMS, explaining this ensured clear written documentation of his decisions. He noted that these decisions were made unilaterally, arguing that leadership sometimes requires making decisions without consultation.
Pashinyan stated that just as he had requested the resignation of Argishti Kyaramyan, he had also made similar requests to Civil Contract Party parliament members Narek Zeynalyan and Hovik Aghazaryan, adding “I hope my request will not go unanswered.”
Looking forward, Pashinyan announced that Deputy Prosecutor General Arthur Poghosyan would be nominated as the new Chairman of the Investigative Committee, stating that corruption allegations against Poghosyan had been investigated and dismissed. While he confirmed having candidates for the State Revenue Committee chairmanship, he declined to name them publicly.
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