Appointment of Former Police Chief as Deputy Minister of Defense Raises Questions: Tigran Abrahamyan

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's decision to appoint former police chief Arman Sargsyan as the Deputy Minister of Defense raises numerous questions, military expert Tigran Abrahamyan wrote on his Facebook page.

“First, what motivated this person's appointment in a crisis situation for the country and the armed forces, when deep processes are underway in the system, and the appointed individual has been a police officer his whole life? What challenges have been assigned to him?

Second, does this indicate a lack of trust in the military leadership holding high positions in the Armed Forces, and does Nikol Pashinyan believe there are no suitable candidates for this position in the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff?

Third, can we assume that key figures in the Ministry of Defense and the General Staff are refusing to work with Vagharshak Harutyunyan and Nikol Pashinyan, considering that the position of deputy minister is political?

Fourth, if Arman Sargsyan has served diligently in the police, why was the Prime Minister relieved of his duties earlier, and on what principle is he being appointed in a completely new system for Sargsyan?

Fifth, beyond current issues, considering the new situation in the region, have new tasks been assigned to the Ministry of Defense?

Sixth, why, two months after the appointment of the new Minister of Defense, are three out of the four deputy positions in this important structure still vacant, while the fourth deputy has been appointed from outside the sector?

To be continued,” Abrahamyan wrote.