Armenian parliament brawl: Rubinyan blames opposition

After a mass brawl in the Armenian parliament, National Assembly Speaker Ruben Rubinyan resumed the session and blamed the opposition, particularly Narek Karapetyan, leader of the Strong Armenia faction.

"Operative Information Center-OMM" reports that Sputnik Armenia reported the remarks.

Rubinyan said Taron Chakhoyan, a lawmaker from the ruling Civil Contract party, had made no insulting remarks in his speech. According to the speaker, Karapetyan lost his temper, shouted insults from his seat and then attacked Chakhoyan, sparking the tension. Opposition lawmaker Garnik Davtyan threw the first punch in the brawl, he added.

Rubinyan said he had called security into the chamber and issued a stern warning to the opposition: “Dear colleagues, if you want a repeat, I have no objection. Either be quiet or listen.”

He added that if it is confirmed that aides to Strong Armenia lawmakers took part in the incident, they will be permanently barred from entering parliament.

According to the report, dozens of lawmakers were involved in the brawl, which began in the chamber on October 29 and continued in the corridors. The sides punched one another and threw water bottles. National Assembly Vice Speaker Vahan Aleksanyan even threw a chair towards the opposition benches.

Following the incident, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he fully supported all the actions taken by his team.