Armenian parliament expels journalists amid tensions over accreditation

Tensions flared in Armenia’s parliament on Friday after staff ordered security officers to expel journalists from the building despite their invitation by opposition lawmaker Gegham Manukyan.

Parliament chief of staff and secretary general Davit Arakelyan barred a reporter from Zhoghovurd daily from attending a defense and security committee session, instructing security officers to escort journalists out. Reporters said they had been stripped of accreditation but insisted they should still be allowed entry as citizens.

Arakelyan told journalists they must follow accreditation rules, which require them to meet lawmakers only inside offices and under escort.

The dispute follows a December incident in which Arakelyan revoked accreditation for reporters who questioned ruling Civil Contract faction leader Hayk Konjoryan about a discounted townhouse purchase. The journalists challenged the decision in court and won at first instance, though the case remains under appeal.