Armenia’s MPs fight during National Assembly sitting

MPs from Armenia’s governing Civil Contract party and opposition Strong Armenia faction fought during a National Assembly sitting on 29 October 2026. The parliamentary broadcast showed punching and kicking during a discussion on electing an Audit Chamber member. Deputy Speaker Vahagn Aleksanyan, a Civil Contract member, threw a chair toward opposition MPs.

The fighting followed earlier attempts to address parliamentary conduct. Parliament decided on 10 August 2026 to establish a temporary ethics commission. Its chair presented rules on 5 October requiring order during sittings and respect for political opponents. A scuffle on 6 October nevertheless interrupted a sitting and brought security personnel into the chamber, CivilNet said.

The speech that preceded the fighting

The confrontation began during a speech by Civil Contract MP Taron Chakhoyan, who accused opposition figures of corruption. Addressing Strong Armenia faction leader Narek Karapetyan, Chakhoyan invoked earlier remarks by Karapetyan’s cousin Sargis about satisfying women and said no apology had followed. Narek Karapetyan shouted from his seat as MPs gathered near the podium.

Media.am’s February 5 report dates the podcast containing Sargis Karapetyan’s remarks to 1 February 2026. During a discussion of demographic problems, another participant suggested a hypothetical ministry of sex; Karapetyan replied that demographic problems could not be solved without sex. The dating differs: OC Media placed the remarks in January, while JAMnews placed them in February.

Fighting spread into the corridors

OC Media said Chakhoyan was seen pouring a glass of water on an opposition MP, and lawmakers later left the chamber with injuries and torn clothing. It also said, citing RFE/RL, that fighting continued in the corridors, where security staff formed a barrier between the sides.

CivilNet also reported that an ambulance arrived at parliament.

Speaker Ruben Rubinyan initially refused to suspend the sitting, saying he wanted everyone to see what was happening. He later rejected criticism that he had summoned security too late. MPs had initially only been standing and speaking loudly, he said, and he called a recess and summoned security once physical fighting began. The recess lasted around an hour.

The sides blame each other

Rubinyan alleged that Narek Karapetyan tried to hit Chakhoyan and that Strong Armenia MP Garnik Davtyan threw the first punch. The speaker, a senior Civil Contract member, supported his faction’s actions, saying its MPs had responded to actions directed against them.

Strong Armenia MP Marianna Gahramanyan instead blamed Rubinyan for encouraging what she described as Chakhoyan’s provocations and failing to intervene, JAMnews said. After the recess, Chakhoyan apologized to viewers for the opposition’s behavior, called it “hooliganism” and alleged advance planning. Rubinyan separately rejected opposition allegations that the confrontation had been orchestrated.

Narek Karapetyan described the incident as a normal Armenian-style fight between men, saying that people who had irritated them for months had been hit.

Pashinyan defends his party’s response

At his press briefing that day, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan condemned violence but placed full responsibility on the opposition and supported Civil Contract MPs’ actions. He said being in opposition did not entitle MPs to behave insolently.

Whether with a chair or something else, it is proportionate and right

On Facebook, Pashinyan also wrote: “I thought at least they were physically strong. Apparently not.”

Defender demands an investigation

Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan’s office condemned the brawl and demanded a proper investigation under legal procedures. The Office of the Human Rights Defender called for an end to both violent conduct and speech justifying violence. It said violence by senior officials encourages society to accept violence as a way to resolve disagreements.

Rubinyan said on 29 October that possible involvement by MPs’ aides was being investigated; their participation had not been established. He said people who failed to follow parliamentary conduct rules would be denied entry to the National Assembly.