Hrachya Hakobyan Provides Explanation to NSS: Does the MP Have Any Status?

MP Hrachya Hakobyan from the 'Civil Contract' faction of the National Assembly has been summoned to the National Security Service (NSS) and provided an explanation regarding the brawl that occurred in the parliament on December 7. Hakobyan stated this in an interview with .am.

"I have no status; I was simply called to provide an explanation, and I did so," the MP noted, adding that he cannot disclose further details.

On December 7, a scuffle took place in the National Assembly amidst a verbal exchange. An assistant to the opposition MP Ishkhan Saghatelyan reported to journalists that while passing through the corridor, he heard noises and upon approaching, witnessed several members of the ruling faction physically assaulting three assistants of the opposition MPs in Vice President Ruben Rubinyan's office. Rubinyan later claimed that the brawl did not occur in his office.

The assistant recognized Vahagn Aleksanyan, Hrachya Hakobyan, and also saw Sisak Gabrielyan among the assailants. He asserted that security personnel were present but did not intervene, while the assistants of Armenuhy Kyureghyan, Tadevos Avetisyan, and Ishkhan Saghatelyan, including Gerasim Vardanyan, were attacked.

Hakobyan later told reporters that when he arrived, the altercation had already begun, and mentioned that Gerasim Vardanyan is involved in a criminal case concerning an assassination attempt against Ararat Mirzoyan. A few days ago, Gerasim Vardanyan, a member of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation, indicated in a conversation with NEWS.am that political persecution is being conducted against him and his political force, and that he has been summoned regarding the NSS incident but did not provide an explanation.

Referring to Hakobyan's statement about being involved in an assassination attempt case against Ararat Mirzoyan, Vardanyan remarked that he has no connection to it, he has not been implicated as a defendant in that case, and that attempts are being made to portray him as a "criminal character."