Artsvik Minasyan: Civil Contract MPs' statements border on the absurd

MP Artsvik Minasyan of the opposition Hayastan faction denounced as “absurd” the remarks made by lawmakers from the ruling Civil Contract party at a special parliament session on Monday.

The debate focused on a motion submitted by Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan to strip Minasyan of his parliamentary immunity and authorize his prosecution.

"The statements made by Civil Contract faction MPs border on the absurd," the MP announced.

He rejected the charges of power abuse against him as baseless and politically motivated.

“What the chief prosecutor just said from this podium bears no relation to the law,” Minasyan said. “When someone with poor legal understanding, who misinterprets laws and blindly follows orders, is trying to assign me illegal actions, I am outraged. Yes, I am angry at the insult against me,” he said.

Minasyan insisted that if there were even the slightest legitimate claim against him, he would feel too ashamed to speak before the chamber.

“But to come here, stand boldly at the podium, twist the law and accuse me of something completely divorced from reality and legal principles presenting it as the revelation of a serious crime, is absolutely outrageous,” he said.