Samvel Shahramanyan

Samvel Sergeyi Shahramanyan (born 1 December 1978) is an Armenian politician who served as the 5th president of the Republic of Artsakh from 31 August to 10 September 2023. He served as the leader of the Republic of Artsakh government in exile until 21 May 2025.

Political career Ministerial positions in Artsakh In May 2020, Shahramanyan was appointed by President Arayik Harutyunyan as Minister of Military Patriotic Upbringing, Youth, Sports and Tourism as part of the latter's government.

On 29 August 2023, Harutyunyan stated that he was considering resigning and going to serve in Artsakh's militia. On 31 August, Harutyunyan announced his resignation as president of the Republic of Artsakh along with State Minister Gurgen Nersisyan. Before his resignation, in his final decree, Harutyunyan appointed Shahramanyan as the new State Minister, giving him broad powers.

2023 election

On 6 September 2023, it became known that three opposition parliamentary factions (Justice, Armenian Revolutionary Federation and Democratic Party of Artsakh) nominated Shahramanyan as their presidential candidate. Later Shahramanyan's candidacy was supported by the largest faction of the Parliament, Free Motherland-UCA.

Azerbaijani offensive, exodus and dissolution of Artsakh

Nine days after Shahramanyan was sworn in, Azerbaijan launched a military offensive against Artsakh. The following day, the Artsakhi government reached a ceasefire agreement and agreed to disarm. On 24 September, a mass evacuation of ethnic-Armenian civilians began, citing fears of persecution and ethnic cleansing if they remain. On 28 September, Shahramanyan signed a decree stating that all state institutions would be dissolved by 1 January 2024, bringing the existence of the Republic of Artsakh to an end.

Exile On 4 October, it was reported that Shahramanyan had left Artsakh for Armenia. He was spotted in Yerevan on 16 October. On 22 December 2023, Shahramanyan said that there was no official document stipulating the dissolution of government institutions, and his office stated that it was "empty paper". In March 2024, Shahramanyan declared the Government of Artsakh as a government-in-exile alongside their institutions. This declaration was disavowed by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, calling it a "security threat". On 21 May 2025, his presidential term expired. As a result, Ashot Danielyan, who was also elected President of the National Assembly in exile, assumed presidential powers.

Personal life Shahramanyan is married and has three children.