New Times opposition party leader ruled out any political subtext behind Armenian police chief Alik Sargsyan’s resignation.

“Staff shifts are an essential part of election policy, with similar steps spelling the authorities’ intention to concentrate all forces in the Armenian capital,” Aram Karapetyan noted, citing the nomination of the ruling Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) member Taron Margaryan to Yerevan Mayor’s post.

On November 1, Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan signed a decree to relieve Armenian police chief, lieutenant general Alik Sargsyan of his duties and to appoint him as a presidential advisor.

By another decree, lieutenant general Vladimir Gasparyan was dismissed as the Deputy Defense Minister and was appointed to the post of Armenian police chief at the government of Armenia.