VIDEO. Lawmakers Threatened by Criminal Authorities, Arman Babajanyan Claims

During a discussion in the National Assembly regarding the selection of a Supreme Court judge, independent MP Arman Babajanyan inquired about the absence of the Chair of the Supreme Judicial Council in the session, who had presented the candidates for judges the day before. He added:

“After the heated discussions yesterday and the day before, I have been contacted by ‘lawmakers’ who made threatening statements to me. It is clear who is currently being sheltered by the judicial system, including the Supreme Judicial Council. I warn you, do not play the devil’s game, you have long grasped my fear. Having spent 3.5 years in captivity, I have sat with ‘criminal authorities’ and have interacted with criminal figures, so step back into your places and attend to your own matters. We will come after you,” the MP stated.

The Speaker of the National Assembly responded that after presenting the candidates, Ruben Vardazaryan, the Chair of the Supreme Judicial Council, had no further roles or functions in this phase of the discussion and could be absent from the session. “Certainly, in our practice, and I believe in the practices we have had, the one presenting the issue may have ethically remained present in the National Assembly’s sessions until the end, but procedurally, Mr. Vardazaryan had no further responsibilities. Regarding what you mentioned, it seems to contain elements of a threat, and it is a report of a crime. Mr. Babajanyan, you have made this publicly, you may wish to follow up on it as well,” said Ararat Mirzoyan.