President Kocharian dismissed his culture minister over allegations of assault (file photo) (CTK)
5 January 2006 -- Armenian President Robert Kocharian has dismissed the culture minister after he allegedly attacked two utility workers.
Kocharian's office said he signed the decree today after Culture Minister Hovik Ovanisyan -- a poet who goes by the pen name Ovik Oveyan -- handed in his resignation letter.
The prosecutor's office said that after power went out in his apartment yesterday, Ovanisyan, his son, and friends drove to the electricity company's office and allegedly beat two officials who later required medical attention.
Power was restored to Ovanisyan's apartment about 30 minutes later.
(AP)