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A group of lecturers and students staged a protest in support of Armenian-Russian Slavonic University Rector Armen Darbinyan outside the university building on Thursday, denouncing the “pressures” exerted on him by the authorities.

Earlier on Wednesday, Darbinyan shared an open letter on his Facebook page addressed to Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, revealing pressures against him. He said that he was being forced to resign.

Before expressing their concerns, Vice Rector Pargev Avetisyan, who is currently the acting head of the university, asked the protesters to observe a minute of silence in memory of the Armenian soldiers killed in the recent Artsakh war.

Referring to the situation around Armen Darbinyan, he noted that the university has great achievements, high standing and is considered a center of scientific research, attributing it to the professionalism of the academic staff and the efforts of the students.

According to him, the university has refrained from political processes for many years.

"Today the university is undeniably considered the most established Russian-Armenian joint project and the role of Rector Armen Darbinyan in it is indisputable," he said, underlining that Armenian-Russian cooperation is not only a necessity in terms of security, but it should be developed in the scientific-educational sphere. He called for creation of a new model of close cooperation to give a new impetus to relations between the two countries.

Avetisyan said the Academic Council of the university has convened a special meeting today, during which it will make a statement, giving an assessment of the developments surrounding Armen Darbinyan.

The head of the Student Council of the Armenian-Russian Slavonic University, Armine Kupelyan, expressed their concerns over the rumors about Darbinyan, adding the students stand with him.

"Darbinyan has proved over the years that he is a creative and constructive leader," Vice Rector Gagik Sargsyan said, adding many important projects have been implemented during his tenure.

Also, the protesting lecturers and students said many graduates of the university from different corners of the world have expressed support to them.