Hagop Arshakyan's Powers Must Be Suspended: Who Will Handle His Case?

The case involving journalist Paylak Fahradyan and Armenia's Minister of High-Tech Industry Hagop Arshakyan is now with the Special Investigative Service. The journalist announced during a Facebook live stream that Arshakyan had attacked him at a café. Later, a video was released showing the minister assaulting the journalist, striking his face.

Following the incident, the journalist filed a complaint with the Police, and yesterday, the newspaper 'Zhoghovurd' learned that it has been forwarded to the Special Investigative Service. What will happen next? If the SIS is to begin investigating this case, Hagop Arshakyan's powers as a minister will need to be suspended, similar to what occurred with former head of the State Oversight Service Davit Sanasaryan.

Once again, the investigator must make a decision to suspend Minister Arshakyan's powers, and only after the conclusion of the investigation will the minister's fate become clear. However, 'Zhoghovurd' has reported that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has summoned lawyers to understand how they can protect Hagop Arshakyan and prevent the suspension of his powers. They informed him that there is no other option, and Arshakyan's powers must be suspended until the investigation concludes.