Pashinyan is Establishing Dual Authority in the Armed Forces General Staff: 'Hraparak'

Former Chief of the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces, Lieutenant General Artak Davtyan, has received a new position in the Ministry of Defense as a senior officer for special assignments, by order of Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan. According to certain information, this position has been created specifically for him; Pashinyan has decided to deploy Davtyan to the General Staff to establish dual authority and exert psychological pressure on Onik Gasparyan.

It is noteworthy that Pashinyan's media outlet, which was the first to announce this appointment, initially reported that A. Davtyan had been appointed as a senior officer for special assignments in the 'General Staff,' but later the term 'General Staff' was removed from the publication because the composition of the General Staff is defined by law, and such a position does not exist.

Recall that under Nikol Pashinyan's rule, Artak Davtyan has received high-ranking positions twice and has been dismissed. After the revolution, he was appointed Chief of the General Staff, then dismissed on June 8, 2020, due to a scandal related to his son's wedding during quarantine. His next position was appointed on July 17, 2020, as the head of the Military-Industrial Committee, but he was dismissed on November 16, 2020.

After the General Staff's famous statement and the decision signed by Pashinyan to dismiss Onik Gasparyan, there were reports that Pashinyan sees him in the position of Chief of the General Staff. However, yesterday's appointment suggests that Onik Gasparyan's position is strong, and the Constitution and legislation do not allow for such easy dismissal, hence they are contemplating new illegal pathways.