Former Yerevan district head quits ruling party

Razmik Mkrtchyan, the former head of Yerevan’s Shengavit district, has announced his departure from Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Tuesday, Mkrtchyan said he decided to leave the party on October 3, expressing gratitude for the “sincere support and trust” of Shengavit residents, which he described as “the greatest recognition for any responsible person”.

Mkrtchyan resigned as district head in June, citing personal reasons. Days later, he was arrested following reports that he and several others had assaulted Tigran Makaryan, the Shengavit Civil Contract branch leader and ex-employee of the district administration.