The Dismissal of the Head of the National Security Service Has Deep Roots: The Fireworks Incident Was Just One of the Reasons

The dismissal of the head of the National Security Service, Sargis Hovhannisyan, has quite deep roots. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had long-standing complaints about Hovhannisyan's performance and discussions were held on finding a replacement for him. This was reported by the newspaper ‘Zhoghovurd’.

According to information received by the media, Pashinyan had suspicions that there had been leaks regarding his family and wife from Hovhannisyan, after which specific actions were decided to be taken. In particular, Anna Hakobyan's head of security, Artur Gasparyan, began to become active at the National Security Service, and the environment surrounding Hovhannisyan started to tighten.

The atmosphere at the National Security Service heated up, and the moment to dismiss Sargis Hovhannisyan matured after the explosions from the fireworks that took place in the courtyard of ‘Dvin Music Hall’ on September 9.

Reports suggest that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was also frightened by the sounds resembling explosions because ‘Dvin’ is located next to the government summer residence. When Pashinyan inquired with his immediate security chief, Sargis Hovhannisyan, about what the noises were and who organized the fireworks, and whether they had permission, Hovhannisyan reported that the fireworks were authorized by Edgar from Akhalkalaki, who ordered the expensive fireworks for a wedding celebration.

When Pashinyan angrily asked the Chief of Police who had allowed such a fireworks display at that hour, he was informed that the organizers did not have permission. As a result, the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Armenia fined the company ‘Gold Fire’ 100,000 drams. It turns out that Sargis Hovhannisyan deceived Nikol Pashinyan. In fact, the bodyguard of the ‘Dvin’ hotel had called and received verbal permission for the fireworks from the National Security Service.

It should be noted that on September 9, based on Pashinyan's decision, Sargis Hovhannisyan was dismissed from the position of head of the National Security Service at night. The major general had been appointed to this position about four months ago in April.