PM Nikol Pashinyan Fires Senior Officials Over Justice System Failures

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has announced a major shake-up in his government, asking several high-ranking officials to step down. This move comes after ongoing discussions about the state of Armenia’s judicial and law enforcement systems, which Pashinyan has criticized for failing to deliver justice effectively.  

In a statement shared on Facebook, Pashinyan confirmed the departures and said that the decisions were not based on personal disagreements but were part of broader systemic changes. He acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing officials to the country, thanking them for their service and understanding of his request.  

Wave of Resignations Follows PM’s Statement  

The first high-profile resignation came from Karen Andreasyan, Chair of Armenia’s Supreme Judicial Council. In his Facebook post, Andreasyan announced his decision to leave both his chairmanship and membership roles. He hinted at challenges during his tenure but expressed hope for the future of Armenia’s judiciary.  

“I believe in the vision of a fair court in a strong Armenia,” Andreasyan wrote, adding that he would continue to support the justice system in different ways. He also claimed to have guided Armenia’s judiciary out of a crisis and left his position without scandal or bitterness.  

Following Andreasyan’s resignation, several other senior officials stepped down:  

- Sasun Khachatryan, Chairman of the Anti-Corruption Committee.  

- Rustam Badasyan, Chairman of the State Revenue Committee.  

- Argishti Kyaramyan, Chairman of the Investigative Committee.  

- Vahe Ghazaryan, Minister of Internal Affairs.  

- Gnel Sanosyan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.  

Criticism of Law Enforcement and Judicial Systems  

Last week, Pashinyan openly criticized Armenia’s judicial and law enforcement agencies during a Cabinet meeting. He accused them of not doing enough to address what he called a lack of justice in the country. This criticism appears to have triggered the wave of resignations.  

Sasun Khachatryan, who led the Anti-Corruption Committee, was among the key figures to resign. Similarly, Argishti Kyaramyan, head of the Investigative Committee, described his decision as stemming from a need for internal reassessments within the law enforcement system.  

Kyaramyan thanked his colleagues and the Prime Minister for the opportunity to serve, calling his role both a privilege and a challenge during a critical time in Armenia’s history.   

Many of the outgoing officials expressed gratitude for their roles and reflected on their contributions. Rustam Badasyan, the head of the State Revenue Committee, thanked lawmakers and taxpayers for their cooperation. In a statement on the committee’s website, he described his resignation as a chance to step back after years of service.  

Gnel Sanosyan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure, shared a similar sentiment. He wrote on Facebook about his dedication to his role over the past three years and expressed hope that the ministry’s work would continue to benefit Armenia.  

This series of resignations marks a turning point for Armenia’s leadership. While the reasons behind these changes remain somewhat unclear, Pashinyan’s focus on systemic reform suggests that more adjustments could follow.  

For now, the government is tasked with finding capable replacements for these key positions while maintaining stability in a rapidly evolving political landscape.