YEREVAN. Aug 2 (Interfax) - Armenian President Armen Sarkissian signed a decree on Monday to appoint Arshak Karapetyan defense minister, based on a proposal from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, the Armenian presidential press service said.
Earlier on Monday, Pashinyan relieved Karapetyan of his duties as first deputy defense minister.
Maj. Gen. Karapetyan was appointed an advisor to Pashinyan in December 2018, after providing testimony against former President Robert Kocharyan and a number of former high-ranking officials in a case dealing with the dispersal of an opposition rally on March 1, 2008.
Pashinyan relieved Karapetyan of his duties as an advisor to the prime minister on April 6 and appointed him first deputy chief of the Armed Forces General Staff on April 13.
Earlier on Monday, President Sarkissian signed a decree appointing Pashinyan prime minister. A new Armenian government shall be formed within 15 days of the prime minister's appointment.