Hayk Chobanyan has been appointed Armenia’s Minister of High-Tech Industry, replacing Hakob Arshakyan who resigned after assaulting a journalist in a Yerevan restaurant.

Arshakyan was caught on camera hitting Paylak Fahrdadyan, editor of the Irakanum.am news website, in the face and damaging his computer.

Arshakyan initially argued that the journalist had invaded his privacy, but later said he was ready to be held accountable for his actions.

Chobanyan had been serving as the Tavush Provincial Governor.