Arayik Harutyunyan is again accused of sponsorship

From 11 to 20 September, 2019, the “Media Advocate” initiative followed online media reports on the Minister Arayik Harutyunyan’s personality and activities. 35 leading Armenian news agencies have been monitored.

In the specified period, 124 articles were declared, 38 of which were negative and 86 were neutral.

No positive articles on RA Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Arayik Harutyunyan were declared during this ten-day period. The minister is again accused of sponsorship. According to a publication, Artur Israyelyan holds the position of Secretary of the Rectors’ Council of State Universities due to his close ties with Arayik Harutyunyan.

In an interview with the news outlet, Israyelyan denied the rumor that he had been appointed to the post due to Arayik Harutyunyan, but also refused to answer why he was appointed as the head of that body.

According to media reports, appointments at YSU are nepotism examples; Arayik Harutyunyan’s close friend Khachik Gevorgyan’s godfather appointed Gevorg Muradyan to the post of a chairman of YSU Board of Trustees, after which Arayik Harutyunyan and Khachik Gevorgyan’s other friend, Arthur Israyelyan, was appointed as vice-rector, then Gegham Gevorgyan appointed his goddaughter, Elina Asriyan as vice-rector.

A student strike was held during the protests against Amulsar mine exploitation. The ministry headed by Arayik Harutyunyan expressed its concern over it. The society has recalled that there was a time that the minister was in favor of strikes and even called for strikes. Arayik Harutyunyan continues to be blamed for being against the fact that the “Armenian Church history” subject is taught in schools.