Top Armenian General Fired

YEREVAN (RFE/RL)—One of Armenia’s most influential army generals was sacked on Tuesday after being publicly rebuked by Defense Minister Vigen Sargsyan.

President Serzh Sarkisian relieved Lieutenant-General Haykaz Baghmanyan of his duties as deputy chief of the Armenian army’s General Staff just hours after the extraordinary criticism.

Speaking to reporters, Sargsian said Baghmanyan has asked to be discharged from the military “at my urging.â€