168 Hours: Khachatrian to retain power in case of Dolunts’s appointment

“168 Hours” paper discusses the resignation of Syunik governor Suren Khachatrian and the appointment of deputy governor Ara Dolunts as acting governor of the province. The paper writes citing its sources that the acting governor Ara Dolunts may become the governor of Syunik province soon. “In this case, Suren Khachatrian will continue to rule Syunik because Ara Dolunts is his henchman,” the paper writes.

“During his 20-ear activities, Suren Khachatrian has concentrated in his hands most profitable spheres of economy in the city of Goris and adjacent areas. He has influence in Synuk thanks to that property. On June 6 Suren Khachatrian resigned from his post, but he has kept his property. If the authorities had wanted to punish Suren Khachatrian, they would have deprived him not only of his post, but also of property, giving it to the new governor. Yet the authorities cannot redistribute property in such cases because it will cause discontent of the elite that likes stability and predictability. Quite the opposite, the elite is sure that the authorities must protect and multiply their property,” “168 Hours” notes.