Government of Armenia has accepted Syunik Governor Surik Khachatryan's resignation, Deputy Minister of Territorial Administration Vache Terteryan said in the government,
Thursday.
Khachatryan sent in his resignation following a bloody shootout in front of his house. Former candidate for Goris mayor Avo Budaghyan was killed and his brother Artak Budaghyan (who is in a grave situation currently), a commander at a military unit in NKR and Nikolay Abrahamyan, a relative and bodyguard of Governor S. Khachartyan, were wounded. The ex-governor's son Tigran Khachatryan and bodyguard Zarzand Nikoghosyan have been arrested over the incident. Surik Khahcatryan says the incident was a result of an armed attack on his house.
Reportedly, there are several candidates for the post of the Syunik governor: Vahe Hakobyan, the son of Maxim Hakobyan, the owner of the Zangezour copper and molybdenum combine (who is supported by the RPA youth wing headed by Vice Speaker E. Sharmazanov), and Khachik Asryan, Deputy Minister of Sport and Youth Affairs.