We Lost Today: Nikol Pashinyan

Moments ago in the National Assembly, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan addressed the brawl that took place this morning. He picked up a bottle placed in front of him and referred to footage circulating on the internet, in which My Step faction member Andranik Kocharyan is seen taking the bottle from the table in front of his faction member Sasun Mikaelyan, effectively 'snatching' it from his hands.

The Prime Minister noted that the water bottle had once again become a 'weapon' in Sasun Mikaelyan's hands. 'If Andranik Kocharyan had not 'disarmed' Sasun Mikaelyan, perhaps this political legacy... would have ended with this incident. But yes, we lost today. I condemn this, dear Mr. Mikaelyan, I condemn myself, us. I cannot remain silent about everything that happens and has happened in this hall, and about what occurred this morning before all of our eyes.' He emphasized his stance clearly and unequivocally, stating that he condemns all forms of violence in all its manifestations. 'I want to highlight that violence comes not only in physical forms but also moral and psychological.' It must be pointed out that for the past two years, the revolutionary team, including this parliamentary majority and government, has been systematically and continuously subjected to moral and psychological violence. 'I apologize for saying so, but female lawmakers of the parliamentary majority are threatened with rape on social media, their children are threatened to be harmed in the streets, and the vilest, disgusting information is spread about the lawmakers representing the My Step faction in the National Assembly,' he said.