Samvel Shahramanyan facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Samvel Shahramanyan
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Սամվել Շահրամանյան
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| 5th President of Artsakh | |
| In office 10 September 2023 – 21 May 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Arayik Harutyunyan Davit Ishkhanyan (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Office abolished |
| State Minister of Artsakh | |
| In office 31 August 2023 – 10 September 2023 |
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| President | Davit Ishkhanyan (acting) |
| Preceded by | Gurgen Nersisyan |
| Succeeded by | Artur Harutyunyan |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1 December 1978 Stepanakert, Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast, Soviet Union (now Khankendi, Azerbaijan) |
| Political party | Independent |
| Children | 3 |
| Residences | Yerevan, Armenia |
| Alma mater | Artsakh University |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service |  Artsakh Defence Army |
| Years of service | 1996–1999 |
| Rank | Major general |
Samvel Shahramanyan, born on December 1, 1978, is an Armenian politician. He was the fifth and last president of the Republic of Artsakh. He held this important role from September 10, 2023, until May 21, 2025. He also led the Artsakh government in exile.
Before becoming president, he was the State Minister of Artsakh from August to September 2023. He also served as a minister for youth, sports, and tourism. He was also the Secretary of the Security Council of Artsakh. He held the rank of Major General in the Artsakh Defence Army.
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Early Life and Career Beginnings
Samvel Shahramanyan was born in Stepanakert on December 1, 1978. At that time, Stepanakert was part of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast. He studied economics at Artsakh University and graduated in 1999.
From 1996 to 1999, he served in the Artsakh Defense Army. After that, he joined the Artsakh National Security Service. He became the director of this service between 2018 and 2020. President Bako Sahakyan appointed him to this position.
Political Journey in Artsakh
Ministerial Roles and State Minister
In May 2020, President Arayik Harutyunyan appointed Shahramanyan as a minister. His role involved military patriotic upbringing, youth, sports, and tourism. This was part of President Harutyunyan's government.
On August 29, 2023, President Harutyunyan said he was thinking about resigning. He wanted to serve in Artsakh's militia instead. On August 31, Harutyunyan announced his resignation as president. The State Minister of Artsakh, Gurgen Nersisyan, also resigned. Before leaving office, Harutyunyan appointed Shahramanyan as the new State Minister. This gave Shahramanyan many important powers.
The 2023 Presidential Election
On September 6, 2023, three opposition groups in the Artsakh parliament nominated Shahramanyan for president. These groups were Justice, Armenian Revolutionary Federation, and Democratic Party of Artsakh. Later, the largest group, Free Motherland-UCA, also supported him.
The presidential election took place on September 9. Shahramanyan was the only candidate. He was elected president with 22 votes out of 23 deputies present.
Challenges and the End of Artsakh
Nine days after Shahramanyan became president, Azerbaijan launched a military attack on Artsakh. The next day, the Artsakh government agreed to a ceasefire. They also agreed to disarm their forces.
On September 24, a large number of ethnic-Armenian civilians began to leave Artsakh. They feared persecution and ethnic cleansing if they stayed. On September 28, Shahramanyan signed a special order. This order stated that all state institutions would be closed by January 1, 2024. This brought the Republic of Artsakh to an end.
Leading from Exile
On October 4, 2023, it was reported that Shahramanyan had left Artsakh and gone to Armenia. He was seen in Yerevan on October 16. On December 22, 2023, Shahramanyan said that there was no official document that truly dissolved the government. His office stated that the decree was "empty paper."
In March 2024, Shahramanyan declared that the Government of Artsakh was now a government-in-exile. This meant they would continue to operate from outside Artsakh. However, the Armenian Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan, disagreed with this idea. He called it a "security threat." Shahramanyan's presidential term ended on May 21, 2025. After this, Ashot Danielyan, who was elected President of the National Assembly in exile, took over presidential powers.
Personal Life
Samvel Shahramanyan is married and has three children.
More to Explore
- President of Artsakh
- State Minister of Artsakh
