Vaneltsyann Confirmed He Did Not Write the Statement Alone: Karapetyan

The statement by the former head of the National Security Service, Arthur Vaneltsyann, was unexpected, especially following the Prime Minister's announcement. Today, during a discussion with reporters in the government, the Prime Minister's press secretary Vladimir Karapetyan commented on Vaneltsyann's statement.

"I want to simply recall the context of that day, when the Prime Minister, approaching the words very carefully, spoke about the situation that had arisen between him and his subordinate, hinting that there was a mutual agreement. And after that, to face such a statement made by Vaneltsyann, I think was a little unexpected for both him and representatives of his team," said Karapetyan.

The Prime Minister's press secretary also reminded that Arthur Vaneltsyann himself confirmed that he did not write the statement alone; he received assistance in that regard and later confirmed the final text.

It is noteworthy that the statement published on the National Security Service's official website on September 16 was removed from the site yesterday evening.

Recall that on September 16, during a press conference in Vanadzor, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced that he had signed the dismissal request of National Security Service Director Arthur Vaneltsyann.

Minutes after the announcement, a decree on Vaneltsyann's dismissal from the post of NSS director was also published on the official website of the President of Armenia, Prime Minister Armen Sarkissian.

Later, Arthur Vaneltsyann issued a statement regarding the reasons for his resignation, in which he specifically stated that he considered the decision to submit a resignation request to be the most preferable and justified option for serving the Republic of Armenia and its people in the current situation and context of the future.

"I made this decision with as much confidence as I did when I agreed to take the position of Director of the National Security Service at a decisive stage for our country. My one and a half years of activity has always been before your eyes, and I have acted with one principle: Homeland and the honor of the soldier come above all else," wrote Vaneltsyann.

In response to the statement from the dismissed Vaneltsyann, the Prime Minister's press secretary Vladimir Karapetyan said that it is necessary to first clarify who wrote that text. "We hope that the author has not escaped criminal liability 'by mistake' from the PR offices of corrupt officials," he said, urging Vaneltsyann not to lose the dignity of a soldier.