VIDEO: MP Questions Alek Simonyan's 'Tourist Trip' Funded by the Budget

During today’s session of the National Assembly, MP Aregnaz Manukyan raised questions regarding the purpose of the 11-member delegation led by NA President Alek Simonyan traveling to Bali, how much it will cost, and what benefits it might bring to Armenia.

Ruben Rubinyan responded, clarifying that Alek Simonyan did not travel to Indonesia for tourism purposes but rather as the head of the Armenian delegation at an inter-parliamentary union.

Aregnaz Manukyan noted that Rubinyan gave evasive answers to her questions: “Alek Simonyan is not the only one in this parliament who has secured a tourist ticket; representatives of the ruling party also frequently go on trips, yielding zero results for Armenia while gaining personal impressions—all at the expense of the state budget,” said Manukyan.

Rubinyan urged obtaining information about the goals and expenses of the NA delegations from the Assembly’s website. “Unfortunately, only the representatives of your party are raising the issues that correspond to the interests of Armenia and Artsakh during these trips,” Rubinyan remarked, addressing Aregnaz Manukyan. “I advise you to change your tone because it’s becoming tiresome,” he added.