The Supreme Judicial Council (SJC), a state body overseeing Armenian courts, has decided to dismiss its suspended chairman Ruben Vardazaryan.

The SJC approved a motion for disciplinary action against Vardazaryan, a judge of the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction.

"Ruben Vardazaryan’s powers are terminated on the grounds of a serious disciplinary violation," acting SJC head Gagik Jhangiryan announced on Thursday.

The decision takes effect immediately after its delivery and is not subject to appeal, he said.

Vardazaryan was suspended as SJC chairman after being charged with obstruction of justice in April 2021. Jhangiryan took over the SJC pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.

Earlier on Monday, Vardazaryan released a secretly recorded audio of his conversation with Jhangiryan, who can be heard warning the official to resign or face criminal charges.