Powers of Rector of Pedagogical University Suspended: Minister of Education

The powers of Serbukh Gabrielyan, the rector of the Yerevan Khachatur Abovian State Pedagogical University, have been suspended. This was announced today in the National Assembly by the Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Zhanna Andreasyan.

On October 17, it became known that the rector Serbukh Gabrielyan, pro-rector Marianna Harutyunyan, and several other university employees were arrested in connection with allegations of bribery. Although the investigator submitted motions to remand the rector and pro-rector in custody, the court rejected the request for custody and opted for alternative preventive measures.

“Today, a meeting of the Board of Trustees was held, during which the rector's powers were suspended, and the issue of appointing an acting rector has been addressed to ensure the normal functioning of the university,” said Andreasyan, responding to a question from Civil Contract faction member Julieta Azaryan.

The minister noted that in the near future, the issue of the university staff should be seriously considered, specifically whether anyone had been aware of what was happening. She emphasized that if someone was aware, suspected, or understood the situation but failed to report it in a timely manner, their continued work at the university should be reevaluated.