Armenian MP calls for pro-government colleague's ouster for insulting reporter

Non-partisan MP Taguhi Tovmasyan has condemned the "unacceptable" behavior of senior pro-government MP Andranik Kocharyan toward journalist Hripsime Jebejian, calling for his ouster from the parliament.

Kocharyan, a member of the ruling Civil Contract faction and chairman of the parliament’s defense and security committee, lashed out at Jebejian of the Tribune.am news service when she approached him alongside other journalists last week. Kocharyan refused to take any questions from her, saying that he will only talk to the other reporters.

“You always hinder me. Stand over there!” Kocharyan told Jebejian.

When the reporter demanded an explanation for his hostility, Kocharyan told her to “clean your lips”.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Tovmasyan stated that Kocharyan’s conduct violated the rights of journalists and parliamentary standards.

"His sexist remarks amount to discrimination, which is prohibited under the Armenian constitution. Therefore, he must be held accountable," Tovmasyan said.

She urged the ruling faction to support the formation of an ethics commission to investigate the incident.

"We must push for Andranik Kocharyan to be stripped of his parliament seat for disrespecting a journalist," Tovmasyan added.