Scuffle breaks out at Yerevan City Council meeting after heated exchange

A heated verbal confrontation during a Yerevan City Council meeting escalated into a physical altercation on Tuesday, prompting officials to suspend proceedings for 30 minutes.

The incident began after Deputy Mayor Armen Pambukhchyan, a member of the ruling Civil Contract party, criticized Gevorg Stepanyan of the opposition Mother Armenia faction during a debate.

Pambukhchyan accused a senior member of the opposition alliance of facing allegations related to state treason and told Stepanyan to focus on his political leadership rather than interrupting speeches. Stepanyan responded by telling the deputy mayor not to shout at him.

The exchange quickly intensified, with both men trading insults before Stepanyan was removed from the council chamber.

Following his removal, Civil Contract council member Mikayel Khachatryan struck Mother Armenia member Grigor Iskandaryan with an object from his desk before lunging toward him, triggering a broader scuffle among council members.

In a separate confrontation, Mother Armenia councilor Anna Avetisyan threw water at and attacked Civil Contract member Ani Khachatryan who approached and insulted her.

Council officials subsequently declared a 30-minute recess.