Top military official sacked after dismissing Pashinyan's "Iskander" claimsFebruary 25, 2021 - 10:58 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Tiran Khachatryan has been relieved of his duties. President Armen Sarkissian signed the decree on Wednesday, February 24, after receiving a proposal from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Earlier, Khachatryan reportedly dismissed Pashinyan's claims that an Iskander missile bought by the former authorities had not properly exploded during the recent military hostilities with Azerbaijan. According to Terevan.Today, the former Deputy Chief of the General Staff even laughed at the suggestion that such a thing is possible. The Armenian Defense Ministry later denied, however, that Khachatryan has laughed at Pashinyan's statement. "In the article, the journalist has obviously not laid down the content of the telephone conversation and has, in fact, distorted it, causing misunderstanding among readers, which can be described as information provocation," the Defense Ministry said. Khachatryan was awarded the title of the National Hero of Armenia in fall 2020. The highest title in Armenia is awarded "for outstanding services of national importance to the Republic of Armenia in defense and strengthening of the state system and creation of important national values." Top stories David Vardanyan is the son of former Karabakh leader Ruben Vardanyan who who is currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan. The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Partner news | Ucom General Director gives lecture at French University in Armenia The General Director of Ucom Ralph Yirikian delivered a lecture at the French University of Armenia. Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. |