Pursuant to Paragraph 4 of Article 93, and Section 3 of Article 94 of the Republic of Artsakh Constitution, I signed a decree according to which Lieutenant General Jalal Haroutyunyan was released from the post of Defense Minister of the Republic of Artsakh-Commander of the Defense Army.
According to another decree I signed, Major General Michael Arzoumanyan was appointed as Defense Minister of the Republic of Artsakh-Commander of the Defense Army, and was granted the military rank of Lieutenant General.
The decision of relieving Jalal Haroutyunyan from his duties was an imperative at the moment due to an injury he got at a military position and should not be subject to misinterpretation.
Wishing Jalal Haroutyunyan a speedy recovery and I am confident that he will return to serving the homeland before long.
At the same time I am sure Michael Arzoumanyan realizes the level of accountability and will spare no effort to live up to the trust placed in him.
Arayik Harutyunyan, President of Artsakh
