Is the regime in Karabakh in crisis?

Baku/17.01.23/Turan: On January 14, some sources in Karabakh reported that Ruben Vardanyan, the so-called "Minister of State" of the separatist regime in Karabakh, would soon resign. A day later, Vardanyan denied this message, saying that he did not intend to resign and would fight to the end. A day later, Armenian sources reported that a meeting of the "Security Council" was held, and that "two opposing sides" reached an agreement at it. Against this background, information resources controlled by the separatist leadership spread information that early "parliamentary" and "presidential elections" could be held in Karabakh. On January 14, the so-called “speaker” of the separatist parliament, Artur Tovmasyan, stated that if “presidential elections” were held, he would take part in them.

The “Hraparak” newspaper wrote that Arayik Harutyunyan and Ruben Vardanyan "resign". The publication reports, citing its sources, that Arayik Harutyunyan discussed the issue of changing the "state minister" with the former "leader" of the so-called regime of Bako Sahakyan.

Meanwhile, on January 16, Arayik Harutyunyan fired the head of the Karabakh National Security Service, Ashot Hakobjanyan. He was replaced by Ararat Melkumyan, who just a week ago was appointed chairman of the "Security Council" of Karabakh. Now this post has been taken by Samvel Shahramanyan.

On January 14, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan congratulated the new “foreign minister” of the separatist regime, Arsen Ghazaryan, on his appointment to this “position”. According to Armenian sources, Mirzoyan "discussed with his colleague from Karabakh the situation caused by the closure of the Lachin corridor" and wished him success in his "activities."

By the way, food coupons were issued to Armenians in Karabakh. From January 17, residents will be able to buy vegetable oil, rice, pasta, buckwheat and sugar with coupons.

Political observer Elkhan Shahinoglu talks about what is happening in Karabakh in the program "Difficult Question".

According to him, the Armenian separatists have always been distinguished by their radical position. “This is the difference between the position of the Karabakh regime and the position of Yerevan. Moscow sent Ruben Vardanyan to Karabakh in September last year, hoping that Baku would establish contact with him, after which he would strengthen his positions there and then, if possible, at the next stage he would be sent to Armenia to claim there to power. But from the very first day, Ruben Vardanyan's card was beaten. Baku refused to contact him. Against the backdrop of subsequent events, Vardanyan's rating also fell,” the political scientist said.

In his opinion, the Karabakh Armenians could think that if Ruben Vardanyan was sent by Moscow and had a lot of capital, then he would make life easier for them. But quite the opposite happened - the situation worsened even more. The Armenians of Karabakh had to switch to a card system, as it was in the Soviet Union.

Shahinoglu believes that because of the taking the Lachin road by eco-activists and the buildup of pressure by Azerbaijan, Vardanyan’s rating fell, and after that, landing him in Yerevan makes no sense.

He also noted that there are serious disagreements in Karabakh, and not only ideological ones. “The fact that they started talking about the possibility of holding extraordinary “parliamentary” and “presidential elections”, as well as the fact that the so-called “speaker” of the separatists Artur Tovmasyan announced his intention to take part in the “presidential elections”, indicates that there are contenders for the posts of "President" and "Minister of State". —0—