The mass brawl began when opposition Strong Armenia faction leader Narek Karapetyan charged the podium over remarks about a campaign proposal to create a ministry to satisfy women. Lawmakers and security personnel struggled to contain the melee as politicians exchanged punches, kicks, and profanities inside the chamber and down the corridor. Multiple lawmakers sustained physical injuries, including a bloody nose suffered by opposition MP Andranik Gevorgyan, requiring an ambulance to be summoned to the building.
Key points
The violent dispute between ruling and opposition politicians escalated from the legislat…: The violent dispute between ruling and opposition politicians escalated from the legislative floor directly into parliamentary corridors.
Parliament leadership formally blamed opposition leader Narek Karapetyan for initiating t…: Parliament leadership formally blamed opposition leader Narek Karapetyan for initiating the physical violence after he lost his temper.
Security forces and fellow deputies struggled to separate the fighting members before an…: Security forces and fellow deputies struggled to separate the fighting members before an ambulance arrived on the scene.
Sources checked by our analysis pipeline: 1
A heated exchange over a controversial election promise descended into a mass brawl in Armenia’s parliament on Wednesday, with lawmakers from the ruling party and the opposition trading punches and kicks in a clash broadcast live.
The incident took place on Thursday during a debate on the election of a member of the Audit Chamber, after ruling Civil Contract party MP Taron Chakhoyan referred to a pre-election remark by a relative of opposition leader Narek Karapetyan. The remark concerned a proposal to establish a separate “ministry to satisfy women” if the opposition came to power.
According to Armenian news agency Armenpress, Chakhoyan reminded Karapetyan that his cousin had yet to apologise for the statement. Karapetyan, who leads the opposition Strong Armenia faction, initially responded from his seat before approaching the podium, triggering a physical confrontation.
The verbal altercation escalated into a full-scale fight, with lawmakers using their fists and feet. The brawl reportedly spilled into the parliamentary corridor, where security personnel and fellow MPs struggled to separate those involved. Obscene language was also heard during the confrontation.
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