Seyran Shahsuvaryan

Seyran Nikolayi Shahsuvaryan (Armenian: Սեյրան Շահսուվարյան, born August 13, 1953 in Yerevan, Armenian SSR) is the former Press Secretary of the Ministry of Defence of Armenia.

He was born on August 13, 1953 in Yerevan. He graduated in 1974 from the Khachatur Abovian Armenian State Pedagogical University, and became the director of the Culture House in Nairi that same year. He joined the Soviet Army in 1975 and served for one year until leaving in 1976. From 1970 to 1993, Shahsuvaryan worked in the Public Television Service of the Armenian SSR. In 1993, he became the head of the culture department, then the head of information and press department of the Defence Minister of RA. In 1997, he was sent on the mission on the national TV, as the deputy of the NTV studio (Nork). In 1998, he was appointed the head of the TV studio (Nork). In 1999, he became the deputy of the head of information and censor department under the Government of the RA and in 2000 the head of the TV studio (Prometei).

Press Secretary of the Armenian Defense Ministry

In 2001, he was appointed the Press Secretary of the Defence Minister of the RA.

On January 7, 2002, Turkish Army chief of General Staff General Huseyin Kivrikoglu's made a statement that Armenia had weapons of mass destruction. Shahsuvaryan dismissed this as "an absurd attempt to compromise Armenia in the eyes of the international community."

On July 7, 2007, false accusations were made by Azerbaijan and Turkey, accusing Armenia of buying weapons from Albania. Shahsuvaryan denied this and on September 11, 2007, more false accusations were made by Azerbaijani Defence Minister Safar Abiyev, accusing Armenia, saying that there is hidden delivered equipment in Armenian bases from both Russia and Georgia, which Shahsuvaryan has repeatedly denied.

Shahsuvaryan plays a leading role when allowing for the spearheading of Armenia's military participation in NATO exercises, especially "Cooperative Best Effort" in 2005.

Shahsuvaryan has stated that many Armenians have taken part in "Operation: Iraqi Freedom," totaling 182. Shahsuvaryan had noted the fourth shift of soldiers already drafted for aid in 2006.

2008 Presidential Elections

Of recent, Shahsuvaryan has denied all claims that Levon Ter-Petrossian has made, especially on Petrossian's remarks dealing with Grigoryan and Melkonyan's support of his 2008 campaign. Shahsuvaryan has taken Serzh Sargsyan and Robert Kocharyan's side, claiming that the elections were not rigged and Levon Ter-Petrossian's statements held no validity. Levon Ter-Petrossian's supporters have warred with Shahsuvaryan, claiming that he is incorrect and has no jurisdiction on the matter, causing the situation to heat up as rallies continued in Armenia.This resulted in a 20-day state of emergency being declared by former President Robert Kocharyan.

He is married and has three children. He is currently a member of the Union of Cinematographers and Journalists of Armenia.

He has won a couple of awards over the years, including the following:

• Marshal Baghramyan 100 Memorial Medal
• Garegin Nzdeh Medal (First and Second Degree)
• Fridtjof Nansen Medal.