If Jalal is being prosecuted, then before that, they should prosecute Pashinyan as the person who endorsed that decision. Hakobyan

Yes, the outcome of the war could have been different, that is certain, and the reason for such an outcome was poor management. This was stated by the military figure of Armenia and Artsakh, Lieutenant General Movses Hakobyan, in a conversation with News.am, referring to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statement yesterday that the war could have had a different outcome according to his impression.

Regarding Pashinyan's claim that sometimes it appears that orders have come from elsewhere, other centers, Hakobyan said: “That is excluded, and I am ready to take responsibility for any military personnel. Another question is that it was not managed from where it should have been managed, or it was badly managed.”

Referring to the fact that criminal cases have been initiated against high-ranking officers and generals, and that Pashinyan expressed surprise as to why certain circles are now defending those military personnel who were responsible during those days, Hakobyan noted: “First, let me address the first part of the criminal case against Jalal Harutyunyan, which relates to the organization of the operation in the southern direction. Nikol Pashinyan, as the commander-in-chief, was personally present when that decision was made, and he has indicated that he was the moderator. Moderating is not provided for in the position of the Supreme Commander; it is meant to lead, and he personally endorsed that decision. If Jalal Harutyunyan is being prosecuted, then before that, Pashinyan, as the person who endorsed that decision, should be prosecuted.”

“Secondly, commanders do not have the right to be prosecuted based on the outcomes of decisions, as no decision made by any commander, regardless of their rank, guarantees 100 percent implementation, because we are dealing with an adversary. There are numerous circumstances that may prevent your planned measures from being executed 100 percent as you have envisioned. Therefore, the war is managed continuously, not just a decision is made and one steps aside. What I am saying is that commanders' decisions should not be subject to discussion, and that is a requirement of the law; it is not my desire.”

When asked whether the Prime Minister is attempting to shift responsibility from the political leadership onto the military, he responded: “I do not know what they intend to do, but what they are doing is a gross mistake, especially for the future. Today our two best generals are being prosecuted, and a criminal case has been initiated. Who has brought charges, the investigator who has no idea at all about military matters and should not have any? Commanders can be prosecuted if they have violated the law. And making a decision is not a violation of the law, regardless of what the outcomes of that decision are.”