Leonard Petrosyan

Leonard Petrosyan (Armenian: Լեոնարդ Պետրոսյան; February 13, 1953 – October 27, 1999) was an Armenian politician who held prominent positions in the self-declared [[Nagorno-Karabakh Republic]] (Artsakh) and later in the government of [[Armenia]].

Early Life and Education

Leonard Petrosyan was born on February 13, 1953, in the village of Ghshlagh (now Lusadzor) in the [[Martuni Region]], [[Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast]], which was then part of the [[Azerbaijan Soviet Socialist Republic]]. He completed his higher education in economics.

Political Career

Petrosyan began his political career in the context of the [[Nagorno-Karabakh conflict]]. He served as the Prime Minister of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic from December 28, 1994, to June 1998. During his tenure, he played a key role in the administration of the self-declared republic in the post-ceasefire period of the [[First Nagorno-Karabakh War]].

From March 20, 1997, to September 8, 1997, Petrosyan also served as the Acting President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic following the resignation of Robert Kocharyan, who moved to Armenia to become Prime Minister. He oversaw the interim period until new presidential elections were held.

After his service in Nagorno-Karabakh, Petrosyan moved to Armenia and was appointed Deputy Minister of Defense of Armenia.

Death

Leonard Petrosyan's life was cut short on October 27, 1999, when he was one of the victims of the [[1999 Armenian parliament shooting]]. This terrorist attack saw armed gunmen enter the National Assembly building in [[Yerevan]], killing the Prime Minister of Armenia, Vazgen Sargsyan, Parliament Speaker Karen Demirchyan, and several other high-ranking officials, including Petrosyan, who was attending the session as Deputy Minister of Defense.