Armed Forces and Onik Gasparyan Have Not Crossed Red Lines, but Onik Gasparyan Must Resign, Says Prime Minister

According to Nikol Pashinyan, the case of March 1 is evident, and there are indicted individuals standing before the court. “It is true that the shooters have not been identified, but the context of the murders in which this occurred is clear,” he stated.

Pashinyan reiterated that he does not intend to resign from his position, as he mentioned regarding the 'previous authorities.' According to him, the same individuals are attempting to use the military against the people and the legitimately elected government. “I cannot interpret the statement of the Armed Forces General Staff any other way,” he added.

“The statement by the General Staff is the result of the ruling circles from 2008 trying to showcase the influence of military personnel. I want to say this without any embellishments. This is a specific, substantiated fact. Among others, including Serzh Sargsyan, used his influence among certain generals of the Armed Forces, trying to incite them against the state and the people.”

Pashinyan declared that the General Staff's statement is absolutely illegal since the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia clearly stipulates that the Armed Forces maintain neutrality on political issues. “The Armed Forces General Staff has adopted an opposition political stance, thereby violating all regulations and the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia,” he emphasized.

Pashinyan stated that certain political forces are trying to incite the Armed Forces to use their tanks against their own people, while assuring that this will not happen. “The statement by the General Staff makes the removal of Onik Gasparyan from the position of Chief of General Staff inevitable. Any Chief of General Staff making political statements, especially at the behest of Serzh Sargsyan and the previous ruling party members who want to suppress the popular will similar to how they did in 2008, cannot remain in this position. However, this matter should not serve as a basis for vendettas within the Armed Forces. At this moment, the Armed Forces and Onik Gasparyan have not crossed red lines, and I hope they won't, but Onik Gasparyan must resign.”

Pashinyan remarked that it does not matter who signed the demand for his resignation; the decision to table that request and commence the process of signatures was Onik Gasparyan's, influenced by Serzh Sargsyan, according to Pashinyan. “And, dear Onik, you have made a great mistake. You have not followed the orders and commands of your superiors; you have executed the orders of a great reject who was rejected by the people, who plundered the country, and who had his hands in all possible corrupt dealings. This is a great violation of a soldier’s honor, a tremendous disgrace for a soldier.”