Pro-Government Lawmakers Push for Removal of Armenia's Justice Minister Over Family Ties to Former Government

A political storm is brewing in Armenia as a group of lawmakers from the ruling Civil Contract party, led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, seeks the removal of Justice Minister Grigor Minasyan. This move has gained attention due to Minasyan’s family connections, including his father and brother, both linked to corruption charges from the previous Armenian government.

On Wednesday, Hovik Aghazaryan, a senior member of the ruling Civil Contract party, confirmed the circulating reports of a petition submitted to Prime Minister Pashinyan, calling for the ousting of Minasyan. The petition has been in circulation since Tuesday, gathering signatures from lawmakers unhappy with Minasyan’s presence in the government. According to reports, the document lists one of the key reasons for this initiative as the involvement of Minasyan’s family members in high-profile corruption scandals.

Grigor Minasyan’s family, particularly his father Ara and brother Mikael, have been at the center of multiple legal controversies in recent years. Mikael Minasyan, the son-in-law of former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan, held significant political and financial influence during Sargsyan’s presidency, which lasted from 2008 to 2018. However, in 2018, when Pashinyan's government came into power, things took a dramatic turn for the Minasyan family.

Mikael Minasyan fled Armenia in 2018, just before he was charged with several criminal offenses, including illegal enrichment, false asset declarations, and money laundering. Law enforcement authorities filed these charges in early 2020, but Minasyan, who was reportedly living in Russia at the time, dismissed them as politically motivated. His brother, Justice Minister Grigor Minasyan, has distanced himself from these allegations, stating that he has cut ties with his family members.

Their father, Ara Minasyan, once a well-respected surgeon and the director of a major hospital in the capital Yerevan, also fled Armenia in 2018 after being accused of embezzlement by the Ministry of Health. Like his sons, Ara denied the allegations and left the country before formal charges could be brought against him later that year.

Despite his family's troubled history, Grigor Minasyan was appointed as Justice Minister in December 2022. He has repeatedly insisted that he no longer has any contact with his father and brother and is fully committed to the current government. However, many within the ruling party remain skeptical of his loyalty and question the sincerity of his statements.

The internal discontent has become increasingly public, as more than 20 lawmakers from Civil Contract have already signed the petition calling for Minasyan’s removal. If at least one-third of the 71 deputies representing the party support the motion, Pashinyan will be required to formally discuss the issue with the governing board.

The push for Minasyan’s dismissal has brought to light deeper tensions within the ruling party, particularly around issues of judicial independence and political influence. Critics argue that Minasyan’s ties to Armenia’s former ruling elite and the accusations against his family undermine his credibility as Justice Minister.

Adding to the complexity, Grigor Minasyan is considered a close friend and former business partner of Karen Andreasyan, the head of Armenia’s Supreme Judicial Council. Over the past two years, the two men have overseen the dismissal of numerous judges who were seen as unfavorable to the current government. This has sparked concern among opposition leaders and legal experts, who argue that such actions weaken Armenia’s judicial independence.

Despite all the political turmoil surrounding his family and his position, Justice Minister Minasyan remains focused on a significant national project: Armenia’s upcoming constitutional referendum. The referendum, planned for 2027, will address proposed constitutional amendments that could reshape the country’s political landscape.

Just a few weeks ago, Minasyan was in the spotlight discussing the importance of this referendum. During a briefing with journalists, he explained that the process of drafting the constitutional changes would be thorough and transparent. Public discussions will be held, and legal experts will be involved in shaping the amendments. The Justice Ministry is expected to play a pivotal role in organizing these consultations and ensuring that the referendum reflects the will of the Armenian people.

Despite the challenges to his position, Minasyan has continued to emphasize his commitment to this national duty. The constitutional reforms could mark a turning point for Armenia’s future governance, but it remains unclear whether Minasyan will still be in office to see them through.