Armenia Police Chief Confirms Reports of his Dismissal

RA Police Chief Alik Sargsyan, in conversation with RFE/RL’s Armenia service, today confirmed news of his dismissal.

“They just called me; I know that such a change occurs,” he said, adding that there’s nothing unexpected for him in this matter.

“So what? This is completely normal. Nothing is eternal. I will continue to serve the country, the country’s leader, and our people. Nothing will change in my life.”

Asked by RFE/RL’s Armenian service (Azatutyun), in his opinion, what might the reasons for the discharge, and whether it might be due to doing a bad job, the police chief said that couldn’t be the case.

“My indicators are very good, the situation with crime is under control, and public order is maintained. There is no issue currently connected with police shortcomings.”

Alik Sargsyan also expressed confidence that his successor wouldn’t be “a random person”.

Asked whether he might be referring to Deputy Minister of Defense Vladimir Gasparyan, Alik Sargsyan answered briefly, “Yes”.

Though he doesn’t know what new position awaits him, local media reports indicate that Alik Sargsyan will be appointed as the Deputy Chief of RA Presidential Staff. The police chief said he is going to meet with Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan and everything will be clarified within the hour.

Updated 4:19 pm on Nov. 2, 2011, to correspond with the English version of the original article in Armenian by RFE/RL’s Armenian service.