Two Structures Support Pashinyan: Azerbaijan and Police Forces, Seyran Ohanyan

In an interview with ArmDaily.am, former Minister of Defense Seyran Ohanyan stated that the demand for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's resignation from the General Staff was justified.

“The General Staff, meaning the military structure, fully joins the people. Of course, we all wished that this had happened a little earlier, as an earlier resolution could have quickly addressed this incompetent government’s issues. Where the army and the people are united, they are invincible. During this last war, this government fundamentally destroyed one of the most important features passed down through our history, which is that we are united in times of war. That unity, the readiness to stand behind the army, the collective will of our entire state and people was crushed during this incompetent government,” said Ohanyan.

The general noted that if the army is with the people at this moment, then victory is inevitable. In response to our observation that the police will continue to support Pashinyan, the former minister said, “The events of recent days have shown that there are two structures supporting Pashinyan: one is Azerbaijan, and the other is the police forces. However, among the police forces, there are our Armenian people who, I believe, understand the collective will that is expressed by our entire population. Since the military also constitutes a part of our people, I think the police will draw the appropriate conclusions.”

Seyran Ohanyan is confident that this government is ready for anything, including confrontation and civil war. “This is not the first time they have resorted to this. They have already gone down this path. The organizers of March 1, 2008, are the very forces executing commands under the leadership of today’s Nikol Pashinyan, and it is clear that they are clinging tightly to their chairs, prioritizing their group interests over the interests of the people and the state,” added Ohanyan.

The former Minister of Defense states that the people must collectively demand the resignation of the current government, while the prime minister and his team should understand the seriousness of the situation and voluntarily step down.

In response to our observation that the Ministry of Defense might try to counterbalance the actions of the General Staff, he said, “Of course, the leadership of the Ministry of Defense is part of today’s political team, at least the minister and the deputy ministers. I believe the rest will likely agree with the General Staff. They will try to advance their political team’s goals, but the support of the people and the mutual support between the people and the military will undoubtedly lead to success at this moment.”