11 Members of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation Sue MP

The Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF), represented by the party's Bureau member Ishkhan Saghatelyan and several other ARF members (Arthur Khachatryan, Artsvik Minasyan, Armenuhi Kyureghyan, Taron Tonoyan, Lilit Galstyan, Hakob Matilyan, Mikael Manukyan, Simon Simonyan, Ashot Simonyan, Shaghik Marukhyan), has filed a lawsuit against MP Arman Babajanyan.

The ARF members demand a public apology for defamation and compensation for slander.

The case has been assigned to Avag Gabrielyan, a judge at the General Jurisdiction Court of Yerevan. ARF member Artsvik Minasyan declined to comment on the issue, stating that they would speak about it in a few days.

In response, Arman Babajanyan wrote on his Facebook page: “Yesterday, the Armenian Revolutionary Federation filed a lawsuit against me, demanding that I be compelled to apologize publicly for insults and compensate for slander. This relates to my speech in the National Assembly last autumn, in which I reminded about the ARF's terrorist past and the criminal records of its prominent members, from terrorist activities to drug trafficking and trade, in response to the ARF’s circular about starting partisan actions against the authorities of Armenia. It is difficult to say what compelled the ARF to take such an unmeasured and ill-considered step. However, there is no second opinion that filing a lawsuit against me specifically for that speech is an uncalculated move, because if the ARF is suing me for that speech, they should be prepared to hear the same accusations in court, where, of course, supporting evidence will also be presented, ranging from press publications of the 1990s to thousands of documents related to the cases of Dro and others. It will be much more interesting to hear the ARF's counterarguments concerning these extensive facts. I hope the ARF will clarify in a legal context how many of their members were released from prison as a result of the change of circumstances in 1998 without serving the sentences imposed by the court. I also hope the ARF will provide clarification in a legal framework regarding the numerous stories related to their prominent associate, Hrant Margaryan, which involve the sale of weapons and drugs. The public will surely be interested in the ARF's positions on these matters. Therefore, see you in court,” wrote the MP.