Pandemonium engulfed Armenia's parliament during a legislative session when political arguments escalated into severe physical violence between governing party figures and opposition members. Inside a hall built for constitutional lawmaking and civil dialogue, elected representatives were captured throwing punches and kicks on live television. The brawl left multiple legislators with visible facial injuries and torn garments, compelling authorities to deploy emergency medical teams and an ambulance outside the complex.
Audit Chamber Debate Escalates Into Political Confrontation
The legislative agenda on Thursday had begun under routine procedures as lawmakers gathered to deliberate on the election of a member to the national Audit Chamber. The tone shifted sharply when Taron Chakhoyan, a representative from the governing Civil Contract party, stepped up to the rostrum to address the chamber.
During his remarks, Chakhoyan invoked an earlier campaign controversy tied to a relative of opposition leader Narek Karapetyan. The contention centered on a pre-election promise proposing the establishment of a dedicated ministry concerning women's satisfaction should the opposition assume governance. Chakhoyan reminded Karapetyan from the podium that his cousin had never issued a public apology for that past statement. This direct challenge rapidly inflamed tempers across the assembly floor.
Rostrum Rush Triggers Widespread Chamber Clash
Narek Karapetyan, who heads the Strong Armenia faction, initially voiced strong objections from his desk. The exchange quickly deteriorated as an enraged Karapetyan abandoned his seat and advanced directly toward the podium where Chakhoyan was concluding his speech.
The confrontation at the dais turned physical within seconds as verbal hostility erupted into grapples and punches. Lawmakers from both the ruling party and opposition benches rushed into the melee, turning the chamber floor into a violent clash. Insults were traded amid relentless shoving and kicking. The unrest rapidly spilled from the main chamber into the adjacent corridors. Parliamentary security officers and cooler-headed legislators attempted to intervene, but breaking up the dispersed scuffles proved exceptionally difficult.
Medical Staff Dispatched as Lawmakers Suffer Injuries
The intensity of the physical altercation left visible damage among several members of parliament. The severity of the incident led parliamentary staff to summon an ambulance outside the building to attend to the wounded.
Opposition parliamentarian Andranik Gevorgyan suffered a direct facial impact, leaving him with a bleeding nose. Another lawmaker, Ruben Mkhitaryan, had his garments shredded during the sustained physical altercations. Medical personnel arrived on the scene promptly following the halt in fighting to provide essential first aid to the impacted politicians.
Deputy Speaker Kept Cameras Rolling to Expose Behavior
Following the chaos, Deputy Speaker Ruben Rubinyan addressed the chamber after thoroughly reviewing official video recordings recorded prior to the recess. Rubinyan attributed primary responsibility for the melee to opposition leader Narek Karapetyan, stating that the recording showed no unparliamentary insult in Chakhoyan's opening address.
Rubinyan addressed Karapetyan directly on the floor, observing that the opposition figure had lost emotional composure, shouted objectionable remarks from his desk, and walked over to attack Taron Chakhoyan. The Deputy Speaker added that opposition deputy Garnik Davtyan also landed a blow against Chakhoyan once the physical clash commenced.
Rather than cutting the broadcast during the chaos, parliamentary leadership deliberately kept the live telecast operating. Rubinyan noted that the live cameras were kept running so that citizens could witness directly how their chosen officials conduct themselves during official legislative business. The incident, sparked by an unfulfilled campaign controversy, has triggered widespread public criticism over political conduct in Yerevan.
