STEPANAKERT—Soon after Artsakh President Bako Sahakian signed the relevant documents to relieve his advisor and special envoy Arayik Harutyunyan from his duties, Harutyunyan issued a statement, emphasizing that he had voluntarily resigned to focus on politics.
Harutyunyan, a former Prime Minister and State Minister of Artsakh, is the leader of the Free Homeland (Azat Hayrenik) party.
“In order to avoid all kinds of speculation, I would like to emphasize that my decision is not associated with any disagreement or problem with the President [Sahakian]. Moreover, I am expressing my gratitude to President Sahakian who gave me the chance in 2007 to serve our country and people for more than 11 years,” Harutyunyan said in a post on his Facebook page.
“On this occasion I would like to announce that the political party, which I lead will continue endorsing President Sahakian’s political policies until the end of his tenure, for the sustainable and peaceful development of the Republic of Artsakh,” added Harutyunyan in his post.
Harutyunyan’s Free Homeland is the largest political party in Artsakh, currently holding majority of seats at the country’s parliament. Artsakh will hold presidential elections in 2020. Sahakian has indicated that he would not seek re-election to a third term.