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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan on Wednesday commented on his decision to fire National Security Service (NSS) chief Armen Abazyan.
Asked by reporters to comment, Pashinyan praised Abazyan’s tenure.
He said Abazyan was the longest serving NSS chief during his premiership.
“The whole period of his tenure was extremely difficult and I think he deserves a little rest, because working as NSS director for five years in tense conditions isn’t an easy thing to do,” Pashinyan said.
Asked whether the dismissal is linked with the law enforcement actions in Russian-Armenian business tycoon Samvel Karapetyan’s home, Pashinyan said, “You know, the circumstances you mentioned have direct links with the circumstances I mentioned, but overall the work of the NSS director pertains to virtually everything, especially security-related, including hybrid security.”
Authorities on Tuesday evening attempted to search Karapetyan’s villa in Yerevan and take him into custody.
Asked whether Abazyan had refused to carry out any orders, Pashinyan said the NSS chief cannot do so.