Is it for welcoming? Aghazaryan on the installation of sound and light grenades in front of the National Assembly

“I don’t even know what it is. Is it for welcoming?” said parliament member Hovik Aghazaryan in an interview with Aysor.am when asked about the installation of sound and light grenades in front of the National Assembly.

Regarding the welding work on the gates of the parliament conducted the day before, the ruling party member noted that the stronger the security measures are, the better it will be, and society will be more protected from potential threats.

In response to the observation that the gates of the National Assembly protect not the people but the parliament members themselves, and whether this indicates that the government fears actions from the opposition's ongoing struggle, Hovik Aghazaryan replied: “Today, there are two main political forces in the street, one led by Robert Kocharian, who was the leader of the country on October 27. The other force is led by Serzh Sargsyan, who was the head of the NSS on October 27. Since they have no opportunity to come to power through legal means, their only goal is to carry out a hybrid version of March 1 and October 27. In this sense, the stricter the conditions dictated by security considerations, the better we will remain immune from such manifestations. Let them close the streets for themselves, hold protests, and convince the people that they are right and we are wrong,” said the ruling party member.

When asked if the unprecedented security measures in the National Assembly area are the government’s way of protecting itself from the possible entrance of Armenian citizens to the National Assembly, Hovik Aghazaryan stated that the government and its bearer is the people.

To the observation that the gates of the National Assembly were previously open to the citizens representing the government, but now are closed, the ruling party member noted that the parliamentary opposition was not represented in the legislature at that time.