President of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Arayik Haroutyunyan today posted the following on his Facebook page:

“Dear compatriots, a short while ago, I gave a strict warning to Minister of Labor, Social Affairs and Housing of Artsakh Mikayel Virabyan, Minister of Military-Patriotism, Youth, Sport and Employment Samvel Shahramanyan and head of administration of the Martuni region of Artsakh Ararat Melkumyan for violating the rules prescribed by the Commandant and holding working consultations without masks in a closed space.

I view this as unacceptable, and from now on, violation by high-ranking state officials will be punished with dismissal from office.

We are all responsible for ensuring lawfulness and preventing the spread of the pandemic, and nobody will be considered special.”