On 25 February, the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces issued a statement demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
“The General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia expresses its resolute protest against the dismissal of the First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia for short-sighted reasons, which was carried out without taking into account the national and state interests of the Republic of Armenia. In such difficult conditions for the country, such a decision is an anti-state and irresponsible step.
The Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, the government, are no longer able to make adequate decisions in this critical situation for the Armenian people.
For a long time, the RA Armed Forces patiently tolerated the “attacks” aimed at discrediting the Armed Forces by the current government, but everything has its limits,” reads the statement signed by the Chief of the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces, Colonel-General Onik Victor Gasparyan and about 40 high-ranking military men.
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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan quickly responded to the announcement .
“I consider the statement of the General Staff an attempt of a military coup. I am inviting all our supporters to the Republic Square right now. I will address the public live in the near future.”
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Then, Pashinyan appealed to the citizens live, noting that he had made decisions to dismiss both the First Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia and the Chief, Onik Gasparyan, which was followed by the statement of the General Staff.
“I describe what is happening as an attempt of a military coup. I have taken all the responsibility and I will answer the questions myself. We have reached a stage where, unfortunately, we cannot avoid asking questions to some of our high-ranking military men, because if we want the whole truth about the war to be known, we cannot avoid asking questions to some of our high-ranking military men, but some generals do not like, that we can ask them questions about some episodes. We need to know the answers to a number of questions, related to specific combat, military episodes, what were the connections between some high-ranking officers and some political circles and who were in contact with the army during the war, instead of saying, make your battles, urge, that the problem of power must be solve.”
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The President of the Artsakh Republic Arayik Harutyunyan made a statement ․
“The recent internal political developments in the Republic of Armenia are very worrying. I urge all parties to show sobriety and common sense, otherwise our defeat will be much deeper and fatal. of The bloodshed we have shed is enough, now is the time to put an end to crises, to go through a long process of development and strengthening. Being in Yerevan at the moment, I am ready to bring my mediation mission in overcoming this political crisis with honor.”
The Bureau of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) has announced that almost four months have passed since the last Artsakh war. The many vital problems of the post-war period not only did not disappear, but also deepened, and new ones were added to the existing ones. “Four months later, the problems with the captives and the martyred soldiers are still unresolved. The arbitrary demarcation of the Azerbaijani side is taking place in the conditions of absolute indifference of the Armenian authorities.
Nikol Pashinyan issued a new statemnt noting that he would speak at 16:00. “Before that, let’s gather in the square. The police and other law enforcement agencies ensure the security of the rally,” he said.
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The political council of the “Prosperous Armenia” party issued a statement, noting: “We will not allow Armenian blood to be shed by the hands of Armenians in our country. We will not allow a person suffering from the obsession to extend his rule to lead our compatriots to clashes. We are losing statehood.
We call on the RA NSS, the Police, and all other law enforcement agencies not to go out against their own people, not to become an instrument to keep the power of one person. The current situation must be resolved exclusively through political means. We stand by the people; we will do everything to ensure a peaceful transition of power in our country. “
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Edmon Marukyan, MP of the “Bright Armenia” faction of the National Assembly, wrote on his Facebook page. “The statement of the generals of the RA General Staff is not an attempt of a military coup, as in the current situation their demand for the resignation of the Prime Minister does not contain any crime inherent in the attempted military coup, in particular, the principles of constitutional order and state security.”
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Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan stated that no tense development should be allowed. “The authorities, and first of all the law enforcement bodies, are obliged to be guided exclusively by the rule of law and to strictly ensure the protection of human rights in the country. In these responsible days, more than ever, we need vigilance and solidarity.”
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The Kremlin commented on the situation in Armenia: “We are concerned about the development of the situation in Armenia. We consider it exclusively the internal affair of Armenia, our very important ally in the Caucasus.”
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The Council of the Homeland Salvation Movement headed by Vazgen Manukyan made a statement, “The Movement for the Salvation of the Homeland welcomes the statement of the highest command staff of the RA Armed Forces, all the confirmations registered in it, expresses its support to our only and selfless guarantor of our Armed Forces.
We consider it unnecessary to repeat the assessments of these authorities the genocidal actions of the incumbent Prime Minister and their consequences. Clinging to the foam, Pashinyan is now trying to incite our people to civil strife and bloodshed. We call on our people, all citizens concerned about the salvation of the Homeland, to gather today at 15:00 in Freedom Square to express our support to our Armed Forces, our Armenian Army and to complete the work of removing the patriotic government and Pashinyan.”
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The National Security Service urged to refrain from any actions threatening national security, warning that any illegal action would receive an adequate response from law enforcement. “We call on our citizens not to resort to provocative actions, to observe law and order and vigilance. The public administration bodies of the Republic of Armenia fully carry out their functions. ”
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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan left the Government building, walking around the area of the Small Center.
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The Republican Party also issued a statement, ” The capitulator authorities are trying to provoke civil clashes within the framework of their conspiratorial efforts to dismantle Armenia. The gang that brought us all to the brink of national catastrophe is ready to take new insidious and treacherous steps to maintain its power. The time has come for decisive steps for the future of Armenia and Artsakh.
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The office of the second President of the Republic of Armenia Robert Kocharyan also made a statement. At this crucial moment, we call on you to be the owner of our state, to stand by our Armed Forces, the Armenian Army. The government that lost the war and handed over land must leave. That is the first necessary guarantee of our national revival, which is the imperative of today.”
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The General Staff of the RA Armed Forces issued a new statement․ “The statement issued by the leadership of the General Staff of the RA Armed Forces on the morning of 25 February was not directed by anyone or was not made under the pressure of anyone. This is the clear conviction and position of the generals and officers, whose goal is one – to serve for the salvation of the homeland at this crucial moment. We once and again confirm our clear position.”
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RA President Armen Sargsyan made an appeal regarding the situation, Today, when we have not yet overcome the consequences of the unleashed war against Artsakh, when we have thousands of victims and wounded, when there are serious regional threats, we are, unfortunately, again in an extremely explosive situation, which is fraught with unpredictable consequences for our state, may result in irreversible losses. There is a martial law in the country. The external danger is real: a statement on a ceasefire is not a peace treaty. There are many challenges facing Armenia and Artsakh.
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During the opposition rally in Freedom Square, PAP MP Mikael Melkumyan stated: “Pashinyan wants to drive a wedge in the Armenian-Russian relations.”
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At the Republic Square, Pashinyan appealed to the servicemen of the RA Armed Forces, noting, ”As the elected representative of the people of the Republic of Armenia, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, my order to all soldiers, officers, generals, officers of the Armed Forces: Gentlemen, are you doing your job of preserving the boarders and territorial integrity of the RA. This is my order, and no one can break that order.”Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan announced today, on February 25, during a rally in the Republic Square.”
https://youtu.be/yaH6DLMDmM0
Pashinyan also added: “Why are the people standing here today, because they know who got rich at the expense of the army and the soldier. The people who are talking in those squares, the owners of the castles worth millions of dollars, about who are they talking, who are they accusing of betrayal? The one who stole the soldier’s bread came and accused the one who gave bread to the soldier, the one who gave clothes, the one who increased the salary. But this does not mean that I am trying to impose any obligation on someone else.”
https://youtu.be/klQwCDnulX0
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Vazgen Manukyan, addressing the people gathered near the National Assembly building, called on them to continue fighting.
“We only have one thing to talk to Nikol about – to discuss how he will leave power. The issue of power will be resolved in the National Assembly, so our headquarters is here. Let him come, we will dictate to him what our demands are, how he should leave. We will stay here, wait for the NA deputies or bring them to come, vote, and remove Nikol. Get ready; we will stay here all night. People; do not get tired, we are fighting for all our future generations now. Be patient, be patient.”
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Nikol Pashinyan addressed the Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces Onik Gasparyan, calling to leave the post “Onik dear, stop.”
According to the Prime Minister, they will put an end to the velvet. “End to the velvet, we will cut our hand, we will not steal a penny from the people,” he declared.
In his speech, Nikol Pashinyan mentioned ․ ” Why are the people standing here today, because they know who got rich at the expense of the army and the soldier. The people who are talking in those squares, the owners of the castles worth millions of dollars, about who are they talking, who are they accusing of betrayal? The one who stole the soldier’s bread came and accused the one who gave bread to the soldier, the one who gave clothes, the one who increased the salary. But this does not mean that I am trying to impose any obligation on someone else.”
https://youtu.be/klQwCDnulX0
The Prime Minister also appealed to the opposition political forces. “If you exceed the size of political statements, we will arrest you.”
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At the end of the day, the RA Ministry of Defense issued a statement,
“The army is an apolitical structure; all attempts to involve the armed forces in any political process are inadmissible.
Any such attempt threatens the stability and security of the Republic of Armenia. The RA Ministry of Defense will respond to each such action in a worthy manner.”
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ARF member Gegham Manukyan read the statement of the police in Freedom Square, “We express our support to the command staff of the army, we join the statement born of concern for the homeland. We call on the police officers not to obey Nikol Pashinyan’s illegal instructions, not to use force against the people.”
The European Union issued a statement, which reads, “We ask all actors for calm and to avoid any rhetoric or actions that could lead to further escalation. Political differences must be resolved peacefully and in strict adherence to the principles and processes of parliamentary democracy.
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US Embassy in Armenia և appealed to the parties ․ “The US Embassy is closely following the current developments in Armenia, including the statements of the relevant stakeholders.”
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Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss the situation in Armenia ․ “The Russian president called on all parties to show restraint,” Peskov added.
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The Office of the President of the Republic of Armenia also issued a statement, “The President of the Republic is not for anyone, or any political force, he has never been, and he is not going to be. In carrying out his functions, the President is guided exclusively by the interests of the state and the people. President Sargsyan maintains the atmosphere of stability and tolerance in the country; he will continue to do everything in that direction, being convinced that the problems should be solved through dialogue and not through confrontation. The President considers the easing of the existing tension in the country and the resolution of the situation to be a priority task at the moment, “all his actions are aimed at that.”
