The incident commenced when opposition MP Artur Sargsyan (also known as Sarkisyan), who represents the “Armenia” faction, attempted to exit the chamber after delivering a speech in which he vehemently criticized the government.
While altercations or brawls are not uncommon among individuals, such occurrences in Parliament or any elected assembly attract significant attention. Similar incidents have been reported from India and various other regions around the globe. For instance, Delhi’s MCD experienced a fiery confrontation between the BJP and the Aam Aadmi Party, while a tumultuous parliamentary session in Armenia descended into disorder on Monday after a physical confrontation erupted among lawmakers, prompting Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan to suspend the proceedings. The altercation arose amid escalating political tensions in the country, fueled by allegations of an attempted coup involving several opposition figures.
The incident commenced when opposition MP Artur Sargsyan (also known as Sarkisyan), who represents the “Armenia” faction, attempted to exit the chamber after delivering a speech in which he vehemently criticized the government. Sargsyan, who is currently facing charges related to an alleged conspiracy to overthrow the government, labeled Armenia as “a bastion of dictatorship,” accusing the administration of manipulating all outcomes.
According to opposition MP Kristine Vardanyan, Sargsyan was assaulted from behind by Vahe Galumyan, a member of the ruling Civil Contract party. Vardanyan asserted that MPs from the ruling party began shouting from their seats and physically attacked Sargsyan, employing offensive language during the altercation.
Footage circulated on social media depicted numerous parliamentary security personnel hastily entering the chamber to disperse the altercation involving lawmakers, aides, and other parliamentary staff.
The clash took place during a heated debate regarding a motion to revoke Sargsyan’s parliamentary immunity. Armenian officials have accused him of being involved in a scheme to usurp power — a claim he refutes. He is among several opposition leaders targeted in a prominent criminal investigation. To date, 16 individuals, including Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the head of the “Holy Struggle” movement, have been detained in relation to the purported coup attempt.
The extraordinary session also witnessed the National Assembly voting to withdraw immunity from two additional senior opposition lawmakers: Seyran Ohanyan, the leader of the “Armenia” faction and a former defense minister, and Artsvik Minasyan, the secretary of the faction. Both now confront possible criminal charges, although no requests for their detention were submitted. A conclusive decision regarding Sargsyan’s detention remained unresolved at the time of adjournment.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s administration has been escalating its efforts against political adversaries. In a social media update on Monday, Pashinyan pledged to “liberate” the Armenian Apostolic Church from what he characterized as its “anti-Christian, adulterous, anti-national, anti-state” leadership — a statement broadly interpreted as part of the wider crackdown.
The altercation in Parliament underscores the increasing polarization and turmoil within Armenia’s political environment, with opposition voices facing heightened legal and political challenges.
