Watch: Armenia parliament turns into boxing ring as MPs trade blows
Lawmakers engage in physical altercation following heated exchange over election promises
Quick Look
- A debate in Armenia's parliament turned into a physical brawl on Wednesday after ruling party MP Taron Chakhoyan and opposition leader Narek Karapetyan clashed over past election remarks.
- The fight involved multiple lawmakers and required security intervention.
AI-generated summary
Why It Matters
The incident occurred during a debate regarding the election of a member of the Audit Chamber. The conflict was triggered by a reference to a controversial pre-election proposal.
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.
Parliament Speaker Ruben Rubinyan later held Karapetyan primarily responsible for the incident, saying he had reviewed footage of the exchange during the break and found no offensive remarks in Chakhoyan’s speech. “Mr. Karapetyan, you failed to control your emotions, made offensive remarks from your seat, and then stood up and attempted to hit Taron Chakhoyan,” Rubinyan said, according to Armenpress. He added that opposition MP Garnik Davtyan had struck Chakhoyan once the brawl began. Rubinyan also said he had deliberately allowed the live broadcast to continue so the public could see what was happening inside parliament.
An ambulance arrived at the parliamentary building following the clash. UNN reported that opposition MP Andranik Gevorgyan was bleeding from the nose, while fellow MP Ruben Mkhitaryan’s clothes had been torn.
Open Questions
- Will there be formal disciplinary actions against the involved MPs?
- What is the current status of the Audit Chamber election?
