Major Shake-Up: High-Ranking Officials Dismissed from Armenia's Military and Security Council

In a recent wave of administrative changes, Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan has signed a decree dismissing Seryozha Stepanyan from his role as Head of the Moral and Psychological Support Department of the Armed Forces. This executive decision was formally based on a proposal submitted by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

Changes in the Armed Forces

Seryozha Stepanyan had been serving in this senior military position since February 2022. His dismissal was executed in accordance with Article 133, Part 1 of the Armenian Constitution, as well as Article 40, Part 3 of the Law on Military Service and the Status of Servicemen.

"Based on the proposal of the Prime Minister... to dismiss Seryozha Stepanyan from the position... in the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia," the official decree states (Hetq).

Dismissal within the Security Council

In a separate but concurrent personnel decision, the acting head of the Office of the Security Council—a key advisory body overseeing national defense and foreign policy—has also been removed from her post. This document was signed directly by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

• Anahit Shirinyan was dismissed from her duties as the acting head of the office.
• The decision was finalized under the provisions defined by Article 9, Part 13 of the Law on Public Service.

Consequently, these simultaneous changes mark a notable adjustment in the leadership structure of two crucial defense and security agencies by Armenia's top leadership in a single day.