Now former Acting Director of the National Security Service (NSS) of the Republic of Armenia (RA), Mikayel Hambardzumyan, on Sunday issued a statement on his dismissal.

"Back on October 28 of this year, I made a decision and on my own initiative petitioned to the RA Prime Minister with a request to dismiss me, which, however, was not processed at that time.

Today, the RA Prime Minister, thanking for our joint work in this hard and difficult situation, proposed to me to continue my service in my previous position as the [NSS] Deputy Director, to which I did not consent, at the same time insisting on my request to be dismissed, which has been granted.

At the same time, I express my gratitude to all the employees of the National Security Service of the RA and Artsakh [(Nagorno-Karabakh)], especially for their selfless work done these days," the Hambardzumyan’s statement reads in particular.