Armenian lawmakers fight after debate turns physical

Lawmakers from Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party and opposition Strong Armenia faction fought in the National Assembly on October 29 after a debate turned physical. The confrontation followed remarks by Civil Contract MP Taron Chakhoyan about a controversial proposal attributed to a relative of Strong Armenia leader Narek Karapetyan. The exchange occurred during a debate over the election of an Audit Chamber member. Chakhoyan referred to a proposal for a ministry to satisfy women and said Karapetyan’s relative had not apologized for the remark. Karapetyan responded from his seat and then approached the podium, according to accounts of the parliamentary session. Lawmakers from both factions became involved in a scuffle, while others tried to separate them. The footage and accounts establish that a fight occurred, but do not independently determine who initiated the violence or provide a complete sequence of actions. National Assembly Speaker Ruben Rubinyan blamed Karapetyan, saying he had lost control of his emotions and attempted to hit Chakhoyan. Rubinyan also alleged that opposition MP Garnik Davtyan struck Chakhoyan. Those statements are the Speaker’s account, not an...