Chief of Staff to Armenian Prime Minister responds to media reports  regarding his future in government

ArmInfo. Arayik Harutyunyan, Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Armenia, has responded to reports circulating in Armenian media  regarding his future within the government.

Media outlets have recently alleged that Harutyunyan is set to be  removed from his post. The reports claim he attempted to establish  unauthorized contacts with representatives of criminal subcultures  while acting on behalf of the ruling party, without the consent of  Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Furthermore, the media alleged he  attempted to gain control over mining companies through regulatory  inspection bodies.

"Although I am currently on vacation and had planned to comment on  the campaign launched against me at a later time, I have deemed it  necessary to announce that I intend to file lawsuits for defamation  and damage to my reputation against all media outlets involved in  this campaign. My legal team is currently preparing these filings. It  will be very difficult for these unscrupulous media outlets. Do not  later claim that there is pressure on the press—you started this  yourselves,"  Arayik Harutyunyan said.