Brawl in Armenia’s parliament
A fight broke out in Armenia’s National Assembly between lawmakers from the ruling Civil Contract party and opposition representatives. The confrontation began during a speech by Edgar Ghazaryan of the opposition Strong Armenia faction.
Speaker Ruben Rubinyan cut off Ghazaryan’s microphone, saying his remarks were unrelated to the agenda. Ghazaryan was discussing the election of a parliamentary speaker and the establishment of an investigative commission on the situation in the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Ghazaryan demanded that his allotted speaking time be restored and his microphone switched back on. After other opposition representatives intervened, Rubinyan allowed him to continue.
Rubinyan cut off the microphone again, prompting a heated exchange between lawmakers. Civil Contract lawmaker Vahe Ghalumyan approached representatives of Strong Armenia. Pushing and shoving followed, escalating into a physical fight. Rubinyan called a recess.