Press Secretary of Yerevan State University Files Lawsuit Against YSU

The press secretary of Yerevan State University, Gevorg Emin-Terian, has filed two lawsuits against the Yerevan State University Foundation.

One lawsuit demands his reinstatement to his former position, while the other seeks the restoration of his previous employment contract. On September 11, Emin-Terian submitted a petition to the Yerevan City Court, requesting the annulment of point 1 of the minutes from the June 28, 2019 meeting of the Board of Trustees of Yerevan State University, which pertains to the formation of the position of 'Vice-rector for International Cooperation and Public Relations'. He is demanding the restoration of the status quo prior to the violation of his rights. On September 24, he filed another petition demanding the restoration of the status prior to the infringement of his rights.

It is worth noting that Gevorg Emin-Terian was previously the head of the University’s Department of Public Relations and Media, but the department has since been reorganized into the Public Relations Service. Following a decision by the university’s Board of Trustees, Emin-Terian's position was altered; he was transformed from the Vice-Rector for External Relations to the Vice-Rector for International Cooperation and Public Relations.

In an interview with NEWS.am, Gevorg Emin-Terian stated that whereas he used to report directly to the rector, he now has to answer to the vice-rector. “This is absurd, as the press secretary cannot be subordinate to a deputy,” he remarked.

Additionally, the rector's decision has converted his employment contract to an indefinite term until December 31, which he claims is a gross violation according to the Labor Code.

The lawsuits have been assigned to Judge Karine Petrosyan of the Yerevan City Court.