Pro-Western figure takes helm of Armenia's Interior Ministry

The Armenian Interior Ministry will be headed by Arpine Sargsyan, who holds the post of deputy minister, as announced by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

“Dear compatriots, Arpine Sargsyan, who holds the post of Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs, will be appointed Minister of Internal Affairs,” he wrote, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

Armenian media noted that Arpine Sargsyan was appointed deputy interior minister in January 2022.

Sargsyan will replace Vahe Ghazaryan, who resigned on November 18.

Prior to that, Sargsyan served as the head of the Department of Criminal Legislation, Penitentiary and Probation Policy Development of the Ministry of Justice.

Sargsyan is known for her ties to the pro-Western wing, as well as her close contacts with the US Embassy in Armenia.

Earlier, Arpine Sargsyan was considered for the post of Justice Minister after the resignation of former Minister Grigor Minasyan.

Armenia is currently experiencing significant political turbulence, marked by the resignation of several high-ranking officials. Sasun Khachatryan, head of the Anti-Corruption Committee, and other key officials, including Infrastructure Minister Gnel Sanosyan, Interior Minister Vahe Ghazaryan, and tax authority head Rustam Badasyan, have recently stepped down following critical remarks by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The resignations, according to Armenian media, come amid Pashinyan's frustration with the performance of security and state institutions, highlighting a broader issue of systemic governance challenges.

Pashinyan's comments on November 14 underscored historical grievances, pointing out that Armenians have largely existed under external rule for 600 years, achieving only 35 years of independence. This statement reflects ongoing debates about national identity and governance in Armenia.

By Khagan Isayev