KOCHARIAN FIRES DEPUTY CHIEF OF POLICE
By Karine Kalantarian

Radio Liberty, Czech Rep.
June 13 2007

Official sources at Armenia’s police avoid naming reasons for the
unexpected dismissal of their influential deputy chief so far deemed
loyal to the authorities.

Lieutenant-General Hovannes Varian was relived of his duties by a
decree of President Robert Kocharian announced late on Tuesday.

Conflicting speculations have been made since regarding the possible
reasons behind Varian’s departure from the police system. Problems
with health were mentioned among such reasons.

Varian’s denial of the news about his imminent dismissal on Tuesday
added to the speculations about his disagreement with the chief of
police, Hayk Harutiunian, which, according to some sources, may have
happened as early as ten days ago.

One of the duties of Varian, who has held high positions in the system
for more than a decade, was to police public order.

He is known to have personally ordered a dispersal of an opposition
public rally in April 2004 that resulted in gross police violence
against demonstrators and a number of media representatives covering
the event.

There has been no indication that Varian may have been fired over
police failures to disclose a whole series of high-profile crimes in
the recent period or over the recent death in custody of a young man.

Varian is also known to have been in charge of arms licensing in the
republic. A newspaper publication a month ago alleged that a massive
re-registration of weapons was being on in Armenia. However, officials
avoid speaking about any gross violations revealed in the process,
which may have led to Varian’s sacking.

According to yet unconfirmed reports, the former deputy chief of police
may soon be appointed head of the Rescue Service at the Ministry of
Local Government.

Meanwhile, by another decree signed by President Kocharian on Tuesday,
chief of presidential staff Armen Gevorgian was appointed Secretary
of the National Security Council.