Armenia’s Police Chief Fired by PM Pashinyan

Armenia’s top police official, Aram Hovannisyan, was dismissed on Monday after serving just two years in the role. His sudden removal has sparked questions and speculation, especially given his central role in leading forceful crackdowns on antigovernment protests in recent years.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s office confirmed Hovannisyan's dismissal shortly after receiving his resignation but gave no clear reason for the decision. The Interior Ministry also remained silent, providing no details about why the country’s police chief stepped down.

Hovannisyan, 58, did not give any explanation either. In a short farewell message to police colleagues, he highlighted his years of service, thanked the prime minister, and called the past two years a time “full of trials.” He praised his work but left many wondering why he chose—or was asked—to leave.

Although officials did not share the reasons behind his departure, local news outlet Armlur.am, which is linked to the Zhoghovurd newspaper, reported that the prime minister asked Hovannisyan to resign due to growing conflicts with Interior Minister Arpine Sargsyan. The Interior Ministry denied the report, calling it untrue.

Still, rumors of tension between Armenia’s top law enforcement officials continue to circulate.

Hovannisyan, a longtime police officer, became a familiar face during nearly every major anti-government protest in recent years. As chief of police and deputy interior minister, he was responsible for organizing security responses to public demonstrations, many of which ended with violence.

One of the most controversial incidents took place in June 2024, when protesters filled downtown Yerevan to speak out against Prime Minister Pashinyan’s land concessions to Azerbaijan. The protests, led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, were met with force. Under Hovannisyan’s command, security forces used dozens of stun grenades to break up the crowds.

At least 83 protesters and 8 journalists were injured during that crackdown. The type of grenade used—believed to be Russian-made Zarya-3 devices—has raised serious concerns. According to the manufacturer, these grenades are meant to disorient armed criminals using loud sounds and bright flashes.

Human rights groups were quick to respond. Both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International condemned the use of force. Critics say the use of Zarya-3 grenades on peaceful protesters may have been illegal, especially since Armenia’s Health Ministry only approved them as crowd control equipment two weeks after the crackdown.

Despite public pressure, neither the police nor Armenia’s Investigative Committee have officially confirmed the exact type of explosive devices used. Opposition politicians and civil society leaders say this lack of transparency damages public trust and may even point to deeper problems within the country’s law enforcement system.

Shortly after Hovannisyan’s dismissal, Aram Ghazaryan—governor of the Lori province and a retired police officer—resigned from his post. He is widely expected to take over as the new chief of Armenia’s police force.

Ghazaryan’s background in both policing and regional government suggests a desire by the Pashinyan administration to bring in someone more politically flexible, or at least less controversial, than his predecessor.

As Armenia faces ongoing domestic tension and criticism over its leadership's decisions, the sudden change in police leadership adds yet another layer to the country's political puzzle.

With Hovannisyan gone and his replacement soon to take over, many Armenians are left wondering if this marks a change in direction for how the government handles dissent—or just a reshuffling of the same approach.

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