Anti-Corruption Committee Initiates Proceedings Against Pashinyan

The Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC) has initiated proceedings regarding the apparent violations of behavioral rules by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Independent MP Taguhi Tovmasyan announced this on her Facebook page.

According to her, she was the one who approached the committee, demanding the proceedings based on Pashinyan's conduct. On May 15, proceedings numbered 07/2025/V/V were officially launched regarding apparent violations of behavioral rules, referencing media publications related to the incident.

The committee has focused on several statements, including "Hambaal," the expression “Get lost, don’t eat my nerves,” the threat “I will take you and put you in the NSS basement,” and repeated disrespectful language.

Tovmasyan emphasized that every official carrying public responsibility must understand that their behavior and speech cannot be unlimited. They must fit within the frameworks of law and morality.

The MP highlighted that Pashinyan's conduct undermines public trust in the authorities, intensifies risks of institutional decay, and violates the foundation of citizen-state relations: respect. She stressed that no law allows officials to elude accountability by referencing their “nerves” or “emotions.”

She expressed hope that this would also set a legal precedent and that the initiated proceedings would not be formal in nature. The MP also requires the committee to conduct a transparent and open inquiry into the Prime Minister's behavior and provide an appropriate professional assessment.

Tovmasyan reiterated that the Prime Minister cannot continue to present himself as someone above the law.

It is worth reminding that during a Q&A in the National Assembly on May 7, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan lost his temper when MP Anna Grigoryan from the “Armenia” faction questioned him about a brawl at the Nor Nork municipality and a corruption scheme.

“If I let myself be guided by media publications, I will have to prosecute you all, you are foreign spies. If I let myself be guided by media publications, I will take you and fill up the NSS basement,” said the Prime Minister.

The situation escalated, turning into a verbal confrontation, during which Pashinyan used the term “Hambaal” directed towards opposition MPs and shouted, “Get lost, don’t eat my nerves,” among other comments.