November 3, 2011 - 16:00 AMT
Defense Ministry refuses comments on Seyran Ohanyan’s rumored resignation

Rumors of Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan’s dismissal soon followed the resignation of parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamyan and police chief Alik Sargsyan.

Defense Minister’s spokesman David Karapetyan described the information above as mere rumors, refusing to provide comments. As he reminded in a conversation with a PanARMENIAN.Net reporter, the Minister himself repeatedly denied reports of his possible resignation.

On November 1, Armenian parliament speaker Hovik Abrahamyan announced his resignation to head RPA electoral headquarters and more effectively conduct the campaign. Abrahamyan will officially resign at November 14 parliamentary sitting.

Also on November 1, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree to relieve Armenian police chief, lieutenant general Alik Sargsyan of his duties and to appoint him as a presidential advisor. By another decree, lieutenant general Vladimir Gasparyan was dismissed as the Deputy Defense Minister and appointed to the post of Armenian police chief at the government of Armenia.