Armenian parliament speaker sues activist, seeking apology and symbolic compensation

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan has filed a civil lawsuit against activist Mikayel Margaryan, seeking a public apology and symbolic compensation of one dram over alleged insult.

According to court records, the case has been assigned to judge Ani Atanesyan of the Yerevan Civil Court. Simonyan has requested that Margaryan be compelled to issue a formal public apology with a prescribed headline and wording, acknowledging statements made near the National Assembly building on March 26.

In addition to the symbolic damages, Simonyan is seeking 506,000 drams (approximately $1,300) in legal costs, including 480,000 drams in attorney fees and 26,000 drams in state duties.