Fight breaks out between MPs in Armenia’s National Assembly, bottles and punches thrown amid debate over arrest of opposition MP
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There was a ruckus in Armenia’s parliament on Tuesday when opposition MP Artur Sargsyan was attacked by ruling party MPs during a special session. The incident happened when Sargsyan tried to leave the house after speaking against President Nikol Pashinyan. Sargsyan said in the house, “I am willing to voluntarily appear before the investigative committee.” He is facing a criminal case in which he is accused of plotting a coup. However, he has denied all the charges.
The tension increased so much during the session that Deputy Chairman Ruben Rubinyan had to adjourn the proceedings. The decision in Sargsyan’s case is still pending.
Sargsyan surrounded and scuffled
According to opposition MP Kristin Vardanyan, as soon as Sargsyan started to leave after saying his piece, ruling Civil Contract Party MP Vahe Galumyan pushed him from behind. After this, other MPs from the ruling party got up from their seats, surrounded Sargsyan and started fighting. It is alleged that during this time the MPs from the ruling party also used abusive language.
The topic of this controversial session was whether to end Artur Sargsyan’s parliamentary immunity. The government alleges that Sargsyan was involved in planning an armed rebellion.
‘Armenia has become a stronghold of dictatorship’
In his speech, Sargsyan said, ‘Armenia has now become a stronghold of dictatorship, where every decision is written and decided in advance.’ This incident reflects the growing political tension in Armenia. President Pashinyan has recently made sharp statements against the opposition and the church leadership on social media. He described the church leadership as ‘anti-national and anti-Christian’.
During the session, the Parliament voted in favor of ending the immunity of opposition leader and former Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan along with his colleague Artsvik Minasyan, paving the way for criminal proceedings against them. However, a demand for detention was not presented for them. The decision in Sargsyan’s case is still pending.
