Born on 30 June, 1954, in Stepanakert city, Nagorni Kharabakh.
In 1971 entered the Yerevan State University.
In 1972-1974 Service in the Armed Forces of the USSR.
In 1979 graduated from the Philological faculty of Yerevan State University.
In 1975-1979 a miller in the Electrotechnical factory of Yerevan.
In 1979-1988 - head of the division of Young Communist Union ("LKEM") of Stepanakert City Committee, then was the Second Secretary, First Secretary, Head of Propaganda and Agitation Division of the Stepanakert City Communist Party Committee, Assistant to the First Secretary of the Mountainous Karabagh Marz Committee.
In 1989-1993 - the chairman of NKR self-defence forces committee.
In 1990 was elected the deputy of the Supreme Soviet of the RA.
In 1993-1995 – Defence Minister of the RA.
In 1995-1996 - head of State Security Department of RA, then- Minister of the National Security.
In 1996-1999 - Minister of Internal Affairs and National Security of the RA.
In 1999-1999 - Minister of the National Security of the RA.
In 1999-2000 - Chief of the Staff of the President of the RA.
1999-2007 - Secretary of the National Security Council adjunct to the President of the RA.
2000-2007 - The Minister of Defence of the RA.
2007-2008 - Тhe Prime Minister of RA.
On 19 February 2008 was elected the President of RA.
Conferred Order of first Degree "Martakan Khach" ("Fighting Cross"), Hero of Artsakh, knight of "Voske Artsiv" (Golden Eagle) order, conferred order of "Tigran Mets".
Since 2006 has been a member of Republican Party of Armenia.
On 22 June 2006 was elected the chairman of RPA board.
Married, has two children.