Is Your Husband a Boy or a Girl? Andranik Kocharyan's Inappropriate Behavior Towards a Journalist

During a press briefing about the situation in Syunik, Andranik Kocharyan, the head of the National Assembly's defense and security committee and a member of the 'My Step' faction, stated that Azerbaijanis have taken a position and claim it as theirs. He said, “Now negotiations are underway. Such situations will arise every day; do we want to lead the country into shocks every day? Should we bring it to the brink of war or maintain a ceasefire regime?”

After the briefing, a journalist expressed deep concern, stating that as a citizen, he feels very bad about the current situation, and as a comparison mentioned that in neighborhoods, if young boys are beaten, they become pathetic and say, 'Don't hit me again; we are in the position of that boy who is pitiful.'

In response, Andranik Kocharyan began to question, asking, “Are your kids boys?” The journalist confirmed, after which Kocharyan’s next question was, “And what about your husband?” The journalist was taken aback by the question, clarifying whether he was asking if her husband was a boy or a girl.

Journalist Hripsime Jebjyan stated, “I couldn't believe that a parliament member could cross the boundaries of correctness. Then he started asking where my husband was during this war, what he was doing, and if he could take him away... I calmly replied, 'You could have taken him away.' Following this, the parliament member concluded, 'If you want, you can get a divorce.' This conversation was as unpleasant to listen to and digest as it is to cover it and publicize it. But someday, someone needs to explain to Andranik Kocharyan and other state officials that entering the personal sphere is unacceptable. Andranik Kocharyan, have I ever asked you how many children you have or what gender your wife is, or what your wife was doing during the war? So please be respectful when speaking with journalists and do not cross the line.