Animator urges Armenian military to take ‘decisive step’

Panorama, Armenia
March 9 2021

Animator Davit Sahakyants on Tuesday urged the Armenian military to “take a decisive step” to remove Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his cabinet from power.

In a statement earlier in February, Chief of the General Staff Onik Gasparyan and 40 other senior military officers demanded the resignation of Pashinyan and his cabinet, accusing them of misrule.

"Everything is in the hands of the army. It’s the military that should take an important step. I expect a decisive step from the military,” Sahakyants told reporters before the rally of the Homeland Salvation Movement on Baghramyan Avenue in Yerevan.

According to him, having the support of the most of Armenians, it will be possible to achieve the ultimate goal.

"I am convinced that it is one of the institutions that has great support," Sahakyants emphasized.

He noted that many people are skeptical about the activity of the Homeland Salvation Movement, seeing some threats or disliking some of its members, that's why they do not join the nationwide movement. At the same time, he said everyone's support is crucial in achieving success.

Separately, Sahakyants noted that “decisive steps” taken by the premier bring him to a less adequate state, pushing him to make bigger mistakes. He believes Pashinyan refuses to step down due to his fears, for which he must answer.