Seyran Ohanyan Banned from Entering Parliament Yard by Car

The newspaper "Hraparak" reports that Seyran Ohanyan, the head of the "Hayastan" parliamentary group and former Minister of Defense, was initially allowed to enter the Parliament yard by car when the 8th convocation of the National Assembly was newly formed. However, it became apparent that members of the ruling party were envious, particularly with complaints from the head of the ruling party's parliamentary faction, Hayk Konjoryan, questioning why he, too, was not allowed the same privilege as Ohanyan.

Konjoryan and his associates seem unaware of the difference between themselves and a general who won a war and lost a leg in combat. On the other hand, ruling party MP Zarouhi Batoyan, who moves using a wheelchair, retains the right to enter the Parliament yard by car. Ohanyan also has mobility difficulties, and in the summer, it was permitted for his service vehicle to enter the Parliament yard, but without parking rights—his driver was to drop him off and leave the area.

The parliamentary staff had been asked to allow the vehicle to stay parked in the yard for 3-5 minutes while Ohanyan was escorted to his office. They agreed, and the head of the Parliamentary staff sent a letter to security, which included the names of Seyran Ohanyan and Zarouhi Batoyan.

However, some time later, in October, a new political decision was made to revoke Ohanyan's right to enter the yard by car, arguing that he was capable of walking independently, while Batoyan continues to receive this privilege. Furthermore, the parliamentary staff incurred expenses to install an elevator near the stairs to facilitate Batoyan's easier access to room 334 within Parliament.

This cheap decision regarding Seyran Ohanyan has not been commented on by the Parliament. They simply stated that this is how it is defined by the regime, and that’s it. It is clear that the order has come from the very top.