How Much Compensation Must Lena Nazaryan Pay to Taguhi Tovmasyan for Calling Her 'Idiotka' Three Years Later

According to the «Joghavorud» newspaper, on May 3, 2021, independent MP Taguhi Tovmasyan criticized Nikol Pashinyan's government from the podium of the National Assembly, stating that the bodies of soldiers at the Abovyan morgue were left in bags on the ground, and no one had been held accountable for this national disgrace. Following this speech, Lena Nazaryan, who was presiding over the National Assembly session, insulted the opposition MP Taguhi Tovmasyan by using the derogatory term 'idiotka' while having the microphone on.

Just minutes later in the same hall, Taguhi Tovmasyan demanded an apology from Lena Nazaryan, but Nazaryan refused to comply, further complicating the situation. The opposition MP appealed to the court.

In court, Lena Nazaryan tried, through her lawyer, to prove that the term 'idiotka' is not an insult, implying it means 'leader,' and that Nazaryan did not intend to offend. Additionally, to avoid paying a large compensation, Nazaryan's lawyer presented information regarding her financial situation, stating that she had loans and could not afford substantial fines.

Ultimately, in the three-tier judicial system, Taguhi Tovmasyan won in all instances. Now, three years after the incident, Lena Nazaryan has, at the court's demand, published an apology text in the «Aravot» newspaper and is obliged to pay compensation to Taguhi Tovmasyan for the insult. The court has granted a compensation of 300,000 AMD, as the ruling party MP has no means to pay a larger amount. However, during this time, Nazaryan purchased an apartment in Tsaghkadzor, and according to her official declaration, her financial resources have increased several times over the past few years.