Mikayel Minasyan
Mikayel Arayi Minasyan (Armenian: Միքայել Արայի Մինասյան; born 1 October 1977) is an Armenian public figure, diplomat, and media mogul. He previously served as Armenia's ambassador to the Holy See, Sovereign Military Order of Malta and Portugal. He is the son-in-law of former Armenian President Serzh Sargsyan.[1]
Mikayel Minasyan | |
|---|---|
| Միքայել Մինասյան | |
| Ambassador of Armenia to the Holy See | |
| In office 9 March 2013 – 1 November 2018 | |
| President | Serzh Sargsyan Armen Sarkissian |
| Preceded by | Vigen Chitechyan |
| Succeeded by | Karen Nazaryan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 October 1977 Yerevan, Armenian SSR, Soviet Union |
| Political party | Independent |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | University of Trieste |
| Profession | Diplomat |
| Website | t |
Early life and education edit
Mikaelyan was born on 1 October 1977 in Yerevan. He attended Armenian College in Venice, Italy in 1993 and graduated in 1996 with a Bachelor's degree. In 2000 he graduated with honors from University of Trieste with Master's degree. He earned his Ph.D. in History in 2004 from Institute of History at Armenian National Academy of Sciences.[2]
Career edit
Minasyan worked for MEP Demetrio Volcic from 1999 to 2002 as a consultant for EU-South Caucasus relations.
From 2005 to 2013, he was the Honorary General Consul of San Marino in Armenia.
From 2007 to 2008, Minasyan was part of Armenian then-Prime Minister Serzh Sargsyan's staff. After Sargsyan's election of President in 2008, Minasyan became the First Deputy Chief of Staff of the President until 2012.
On 9 March 2013, Minasyan was appointed as Ambassador of Armenia to the Holy See.[3][4] On 10 December 2013, Minasyan was appointed as Ambassador of Armenia to Sovereign Military Order of Malta (residence in Vatican).[5][6] On 17 May 2016, Minasyan was appointed as Ambassador Armenia to Portugal (residence in Vatican).[7][8]
On 1 November 2018, Minasyan was recalled from office of Ambassador of Armenia to the Holy See, Sovereign Military Order of Malta and Portugal.[9][10][11]
Legal issues edit
Armenian authorities have seized several businesses linked to Minasyan, who has emerged as a prominent anti-government gadfly. The State Revenue Committee seized the businesses owned by or connected with him, including the remnants of the media holding company PanArmenian, a hydropower plant in the Lori region, the largest shipping company in the country, two luxury hotels in Yerevan, and the popular café chain Jazzve. The State Revenue Committee has not publicly commented on the report.[12] In September 2020, the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction approved the motion on arresting Minasyan for financial embezzlement and legalization of property obtained by illegal means.[13][14]
Personal life edit
Mikayel Minasyan is the grandson of prominent Armenian philosopher Mikayel Minasyan and the son of Surb Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center's CEO Ara Minasyan, a former director of Surb Grigor Lusavorich medical centre in Yerevan who has been suspected of embezzling funds allocated by the Health Ministry for providing free medical services to government officials.[15]
He is married to Anush Sargsyan, daughter of the third President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan and has two children.
References edit
- ^ "Sarkisian's Son-In-Law Investigated over Privatization Deal".
- ^ a b "Հայաստանի Հանրապետության դիվանագիտական ներկայացուցիչներ". despan.am. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ "Միքայել Մինասյանը նշանակվել է Վատիկանում Հայաստանի դեսպան". «Ազատ Եվրոպա/Ազատություն» ռադիոկայան (in Armenian). Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ "Holy See - Bilateral Relations". www.mfa.am (in Armenian). Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ "Հանրապետության նախագահի հրամանագրերը - Փաստաթղթեր - Հայաստանի Հանրապետության Նախագահ". president.am (in Armenian). Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ "Sovereign Military Order of Malta - Bilateral Relations". www.mfa.am (in Armenian). Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ "Michael Minasyan appointed Ambassador of Armenia to Portugal". armenpress.am. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ "Միքայել Մինասյանը՝ դեսպան նաեւ Պորտուգալիայում". Aravot. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ "Հանրապետության նախագահի հրամանագրերը - Փաստաթղթեր - Հայաստանի Հանրապետության Նախագահ". president.am (in Armenian). Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ "Armenia's ambassador to Vatican Michael Minasyan recalled". news.am. Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ "Միքայել Մինասյանը հետ է կանչվել Սուրբ Աթոռում ՀՀ դեսպանի պաշտոնից". Armtimes.com (in Armenian). Retrieved 2020-05-03.
- ^ "Armenian authorities seize properties linked to ex-regime figure | Eurasianet".
- ^ "Yerevan court rules to arrest ex-Ambassador Mikayel Minasyan | ARMENPRESS Armenian News Agency".
- ^ "Armenian court rules to arrest son-in-law of ex-president on charges of illegal enrichment - JAMnews". 7 May 2020.
- ^ "Armenia declares ex-President Sargsyan's close relative wanted on suspicion of embezzlement".