Materials Prepared in SIS Based on Onik Gasparyan's Application

The Special Investigation Service has received a report of a crime from the former Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, Onik Gasparyan, the SIS spokesperson Marina Ohanyan told Aysor.am.

"Materials are being prepared in the SIS," added the SIS spokesperson.

Onik Gasparyan demands a criminal case to be opened against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Defense Minister Vagharshak Harutyunyan for abuse of official powers under Article 308, Part 2 of the Armenian Penal Code, which has caused severe consequences due to negligence.

Earlier, in an interview with the media, Onik Gasparyan's lawyer Artur Hayrapetyan stated that the consequences of the government’s announcement are both criminal and administrative, and relevant reports of the crime will be submitted to the competent authorities.

On March 22, the government announced that Artak Davtyan is legally considered appointed to the position of Chief of the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces. Meanwhile, just days prior, the Administrative Court of Armenia, presided over by Judge Mer Petrasyan, satisfied the lawyer's request for provisional measures in the case of Onik Gasparyan, which demanded the suspension of Gasparyan’s dismissal until a final court decision is reached.

Following the Administrative Court's decision, the Prime Minister's office issued a statement insisting that Onik Gasparyan has been relieved of his duties as Chief of the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces.

On February 25, Nikol Pashinyan announced in a live Facebook broadcast that he had decided to dismiss Onik Gasparyan from his position as Chief of the General Staff. Earlier that day, the Armed Forces had demanded the resignation of the Prime Minister and the government.