Tensions run high at Armenian parliament session

Tensions flared at a special session of the Armenian National Assembly on Tuesday, culminating in a physical altercation between lawmakers.

The incident occurred while Babken Tunyan of the ruling Civil Contract faction was delivering a speech. A scuffle broke out between MP Gegham Manukyan of the opposition Hayastan faction and Civil Contract MP Vahe Ghalumyan. The confrontation quickly escalated, prompting Speaker Alen Simonyan to suspend the live broadcast of the session.

Security officers from the State Protection Service were called in to restore order in the chamber.

The session was convened to discuss proposed amendments to Armenia’s Tax Code regarding the deadlines for the submission of annual income declarations.

Earlier in the day, Hayastan MP Artsvik Minasyan announced that his faction had introduced a draft law proposing criminal liability for the Armenian Genocide denial ahead of the 110th anniversary of the atrocity.