Manvel Grigorian Set to Resign?

The Armenian Observer reports that controversial Yerkrapah leader and Deputy Minister of Defense Manvel Grigorian is on holiday until 1 April. The opposition alleges that Grigorian was set to support former president Levon Ter-Petrossian during the pre and post-election period until he was forced to remain neutral.

During the protest actions started after the elections held on February 19, 2008, there were many contradictory rumors, as well as statements made by the presidential candidate Levon Ter-Petrossian, according to which deputy minister of defense Manvel Grigoryan supports the RA first president Levon Ter-Petrossian.

Government sources say that Grigorian suffers from diabetes and will resign or retire instead of facing charges of insubordination. Word has it that president-elect Serge Sargsyan will make sure Grigoryan’s resignation is one of the first items he endorses after his inauguration.

Residents of Etchmiadzin, the fiefdom which Grigorian has terrorized for years, are unlikely to feel any pity. It remains to be seen if the authorities will now seek to disarm Yerkrapah, effectively a militia of war veterans who at times consider themselves above the law as well as the constitution.