Arzvik Minasyan Threatens Alen Simonian

The deputy from the "Armenia" faction, Arzvik Minasyan, demanded that the Speaker of the National Assembly, Alen Simonian, apologize for his behavior yesterday.

"Yesterday you allowed unacceptable behavior, as the Speaker of the National Assembly, this has occurred for the umpteenth time, where you have made comments and expressions that are unfit for both the National Assembly and its President. Therefore, I propose you apologize for that behavior to prevent further developments, so that society ultimately understands that the National Assembly is their highest representative body, not a structure moving according to street morals," said Minasyan.

In response, Alen Simonian, acknowledging that there were different issues on the agenda, addressed Deputy Minister of Justice Armenuhi Harutyunyan, who was near the podium, saying: "Thank you, Ms. Harutyunyan, would you like to respond?" The Deputy Minister replied that she did not.

"Do you have a response, Mr. Minasyan?" Simonian directed at the opposition deputy.

"Mr. Simonian, I don't know why you are employing such tactics, because my request stems from the constitutional status that the Speaker of the National Assembly holds, and it is necessary for a cultural change to occur in this chamber. Otherwise, much worse scenarios, which will be unacceptable for both society and this representative body, could occur, which correspond to street morals," he said.

"Ms. Harutyunyan, do you have nothing else to say?" Simonian again asked the Deputy Minister and then turning to Arzvik Minasyan said, "Mr. Minasyan, I thought you would give a speech, and I would respond to you with a speech as well. You did not give a speech, but I will respond to you in speech form; I ask you not to leave the room," he said.

It is worth reminding that yesterday, during the session of the National Assembly, Alen Simonian addressed one of the opposition deputies, saying: "I understand that no one is spitting on you, but please do not make such strange speeches every time."