Tsolakyans Asks the Prime Minister to Conduct Inspections at the Ministry of Emergencies

The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Armenia has responded to a publication from one of the news outlets via its Facebook page. The post titled, “Minister F. Tsolakyan has requested the Prime Minister of the Republic to conduct inspections in the Ministry of Emergency Situations” states:

“Recently, there was a publication on one of the news sites claiming that since Felix Tsolakyan was appointed as the Minister of Emergency Situations, corruption and favoritism have reached unprecedented levels in the system. Employees of the Ministry of Emergency Situations have testified that they have never witnessed such favoritism and clan politics, a ‘parade’ of acquaintances and relatives. Due to the unhealthy atmosphere, favoritism, and contemptuous attitude, the long-time head of the National Center for Crisis Management of the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Colonel Hovhannes Khangelian, has submitted his letter of resignation.

Although it was clear from the outset what the purpose of the publication was and who was behind it, despite former head Hovhannes Khangelian stating in an interview that he has no issues with the leadership and that his resignation is linked to an invitation he received for another job, Minister Felix Tsolakyan has requested Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to carry out appropriate inspections in the Ministry of Emergency Situations to officially ascertain the authenticity of the data published in the article and present it to the public.

It should be noted that contract employees have been dismissed as part of optimization, while remaining employees have been notified according to the law that there may be further dismissals in the near future due to upcoming structural changes in the Ministry of Emergency Situations. We urge to refrain from publishing libelous materials that bear no relation to reality.”