Pro-Western Republic Party member faces backlash for defending attack on Armenian activist

Ani Khachatryan, a Yerevan City Council member from the pro-Western Hanrapetutyun (Republic) Party, has come under fire after publicly defending Wednesday's violent assault on opposition activist Artur Chakhoyan by Tigran Ter-Margaryan, head of Yerevan’s Nor Nork district and her fellow party member, along with several other men.

Following the attack, Khachatryan said, “I’m proud of my team as true Armenian men.” She left the scene with Ter-Margaryan, stating triumphantly, “We’re hungry, we’re going to eat.”

The councilor's comments have sparked criticism among human rights defenders and legal experts. Human rights activist Zhanna Aleksanyan condemned the remarks as a disgraceful reflection of what she called “hollow Westernism”.

Lawyer Varazdat Harutyunyan cited Article 330.1 of Armenia’s Criminal Code, which prohibits the public justification of violence based on political or social views. He warned that such violations could lead to fines, community service or up to one year of imprisonment.

Yerevan councilor Iosif Kubatyan, a member of the opposition National Progress faction, also strongly criticized the Republic Party’s conduct. “We are heading toward Europe with a semi-criminal group that is, in fact, uneducated and uncivil,” he wrote on Facebook.

“Naturally, no one will resign or be dismissed – how could you fire such a 'brave' man for attacking someone with 20 others?" Kubatyan added.