Armenian president dismisses senior defence official amid criminal probe

By decree of Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan, Mher Shirinyan has been relieved of his duties as the head of the Armament and Technical Support Department of the Armenian Defense Ministry.

Shirinyan is a defendant in one of the high-profile criminal cases currently under investigation, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

​Recent reports indicate that the Armenian Defense Ministry has undergone several staff changes and restructuring efforts.​

In November 2024, Armenia's political leadership announced plans to reduce compulsory military service by 2027. This initiative aims to transition to a more professional army by increasing the number of contract soldiers. However, some opposition figures have expressed concerns about potential national security implications.

Defense Minister Suren Papikyan revealed intentions to restructure the Defense Ministry, focusing the Armed Forces solely on defense and combat training. Responsibilities such as procurement and maintenance are proposed to be delegated to specific ministry departments. This restructuring also includes changes in leadership roles within the ministry

In January 2025, a fire in a military barracks resulted in the deaths of 15 servicemen. This led to the dismissal of several senior military officers, including the commander of the Second Army Corps and his deputies, due to violations of fire safety protocols.

By Khagan Isayev