Bako Sahakyan Rejects Serzh Sargsyan

The newspaper 'Zhoghovourd' reports that the situation in Artsakh has not been very calm lately. In particular, there have been constant dismissals in recent days, which are believed to be linked to Armenia and its relations with Armenia.

Bako Sahakyan, the president of Artsakh, seems to be caught between two rocks regarding his ties with the previous and current governments. The painful aspect is that the former authorities are attempting to use Artsakh for their own reproduction, while the new authorities are imposing their own demands.

According to ArmLur.am, Bako Sahakyan has stated in his inner circle that he is independent and that no one can force him to do anything. Despite providing personal guarantees for the second President of Armenia and the first President of Artsakh, Robert Kocharian, and even having danced with Serzh Sargsyan, he has told them to refrain from interfering in his internal affairs, as he remains neutral.

In light of recent appointments and dismissals, he seems to be complicating the situation. Reports suggest that Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan placed a condition before Sahakyan to dismiss Vitaly Balasanyan, while Serzh Sargsyan advised against any dismissal.

Following recent delays, many have accused Sahakyan of aligning himself with the former authorities, according to Sargsyan. However, it has now become clear that he eventually dismissed Balasanyan from his position as Secretary of the Security Council of Artsakh, essentially fulfilling Nikol Pashinyan's demand.

At the same time, Sahakyan has dismissed his advisor Artur Aghabekyan, who is a close associate of former Prime Minister Araik Harutyunyan and is considered a representative of Pashinyan's wing, as Harutyunyan is viewed as Pashinyan's preferred candidate for the presidency of Artsakh.

With this decision, he has, in essence, opposed Pashinyan. Additionally, he has appointed Levon Mnatsakanyan to another position, who had previously been removed from the post of Minister of Defense last year and was then appointed Minister of Emergency Situations. Now, he has been assigned to the role of Chief of Police in Artsakh.

Igor Grigoryan, the current police chief, is also expected to be appointed as the head of the investigative department. Meanwhile, yesterday, former authorities circulated rumors that aid to Artsakh would no longer be provided, supposedly due to Armenia's refusal, but this was quickly refuted. Artsakh will receive as much funding as was planned, and nothing can change in the relations between the two countries.

For more details, see today’s edition of the newspaper.