Karabakh Committee

Karabakh Committee

Group of the Armenian intellectuals formed in 1988 with stated objective to attain the reunification of Nagorno-Karabakh with Armenia. Arrested in December of 1988, the leaders of Karabakh Committee were released in spring of 1989 to form the ANM. They dominated the political life in Armenia and occupied high posts in the cabinet until 1998. Levon Ter-Petrossian was elected President of Armenia, Babken Ararktsian became Parliament Speaker, and Ashot Manucharian, Minister of National Security. Once generally admired, they lost popularity against the backdrop of severe economic crisis and inconsistent policy in the Karabakh question. Ter-Petrossian resigned in 1998, marking the end of ANM political leadership. The leader of ANM and former Minister of Interior Vano Siradeghian was charged with grave crimes.