Deputies from Armenia's ruling "Civil Contract" party attacked opposition colleagues during an extraordinary session of parliament, RIA Novosti reports, Focus reports.
The incident occurred during discussions surrounding the prosecutor's office's request to lift the parliamentary immunity of Artur Sargsyan, a member of the opposition faction accused of allegedly preparing a terrorist act and attempting to seize power by force. The same case also led to the earlier arrest of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan.
During his speech in the plenary hall, Sargsyan sharply criticized the ruling party and concluded his speech by saying that the decision to arrest him had already been made. He said he would not participate in further discussions and intended to go to church with his wife and four children, and then voluntarily to the Investigative Committee.
Shortly after his speech, deputies from the ruling faction approached him and a physical clash broke out. According to opposition representatives, their aides intervened to protect Sargsyan after he was attacked.
The parliamentary session was suspended, and after it resumed, the opposition deputies did not appear in the hall.
Meanwhile, Archbishop Bagrat's lawyer, Sergey Harutyunyan, told journalists that his client was charged under articles of the law related to “terrorism, creating riots and attempting to usurp power“. He described the charges as “ridiculous“ and stressed that the trial represents “purely political persecution“.