YEREVAN. – Yes, I have apologized, and some action has also been taken since then. Specific people were fired, some received severe reprimands, and a criminal case was initiated in connection with this individual incident. Acting Minister of Health Anahit Avanesyan on Thursday told this to reporters at the National Assembly of Armenia, referring to keeping the bodies and remains of Armenian soldiers killed during the recent Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war in improper condition at the morgue of Abovyan city.

"An investigation will be carried out, the circumstances will be revealed, and all persons will bear appropriate accountability within the framework of the law," she added.

Asked whether she considers herself also at fault in connection with what happened, Avanesyan responded: "Definitely. As a politically accountable person, I have responded immediately. Yes, I have apologized and said that all those responsible for this process should be held accountable. An investigation is underway, when it will be with a final conclusion, let the process be as it will be.”

To the question as to whether she will limit herself only by apologizing, Avanesyan responded. "It's probably unusual to apologize, maybe there was no such culture [in Armenia]. Yes, I have apologized that pain  has been caused to the relatives [of these fallen servicemen]. But I want to note again that the act committed by one individual must be evaluated within the framework of that act. An individual incident should not be spread onto the whole structure."

Anahit Avanesyan stressed that she was not going to resign, adding that the omission in connection with the aforesaid incident was that the control and the discovery of this problem may not have been at the right time.