Simonian Announces Reprimand for Opposition MPs in National Assembly

The President of the National Assembly of Armenia, Alen Simonian, has announced a reprimand for the MPs who joined the political action initiated by independent MP Taguhi Tovmasyan. Earlier it was reported that, during an exchange of views following her speech, Tovmasyan stated that she would not leave the podium of the National Assembly in order to prevent further falsehoods from being voiced from that platform.

Alen Simonian urged her to halt the action, to which Tovmasyan disagreed, prompting security staff to be invited in, after which a break was announced.

Following the break, Alen Simonian stated that the MPs were obstructing the constitutional processes of the National Assembly under the guise of a demonstration. He said, 'They are receiving a reprimand. They are being deprived of the opportunity to participate in today’s sessions. The MPs who did not participate in this will naturally return and continue to carry out their legally mandated responsibilities.'

The following MPs received reprimands and were expelled from today’s session, losing their right to be present in the chamber: Taguhi Tovmasyan, Garnik Danielyan, Gegham Manukyan, Anna Mkrtchyan, Haik Mamikonyan, Anna Grigoryan, Tigran Abrahamyan, Taron Margaryan, Artur Sargsyan, Andranik Tevanyan.