Panic in Pashinyan’s party: Allies destroy phone data after scandal Secret conversations exposed

The political turmoil within Armenia’s ruling party has escalated, with a fresh report highlighting the intense reaction among Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's allies following an incident involving lawmaker Ovik Agazaryan. 

According to Hraparak newspaper, members of Pashinyan's "Civil Contract" party spent an entire day deleting sensitive phone chats out of fear that their private conversations could be exposed and scrutinized in the same manner as Agazaryan's, per Caliber.Az.

The newspaper claims that Pashinyan personally reviewed "intimate" conversations found on Agazaryan's phone, leading to immediate disciplinary action. Agazaryan was expelled from the party for allegedly leaking sensitive government and party information and violating social and moral norms. 

This event has stirred concerns within the party, as some members realize they too could face similar scrutiny for their own actions. In fact, rumours suggest that even deleted conversations from Agazaryan's phone were recovered to ensure the party had ample material to justify his expulsion.

The incident has triggered a broader sense of unease among Pashinyan's inner circle, as fears grow that their private communications may not be safe from the Prime Minister’s personal review, adding a new layer of paranoia within the political ranks.

All this happened amidst the wave of resignations that gained momentum on November 20, when Pashinyan announced the appointment of David Khudatyan, Governor of Armavir Province, as the new Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure. Khudatyan, a close ally of Pashinyan and his godson, had only recently been appointed governor in January 2024. His appointment marks the latest step in a broader reshuffle that began on November 17.

This reshuffle saw the removal of several prominent officials, including Sassun Khachatryan, head of the Anti-Corruption Committee; Karen Andreasyan, chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council; Gnel Sanosyan, the previous Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure; Rustam Badalyan, head of the State Revenue Committee; Argishti Kyaramyan, head of the Investigative Committee; and Vahé Kazaryan, Minister of Internal Affairs.

The reshuffle comes after a government meeting in which Pashinyan sharply criticized the performance of Armenia’s law enforcement and judicial bodies, setting the stage for the latest round of political upheaval in the country.

By Tamilla Hasanova