Armenia parliament turns into boxing ring as ruling party, opposition MPs clash

Armenia's parliament descended into chaos on Thursday as lawmakers from the ruling party and opposition traded punches and kicks during a debate, turning a televised session into a full-blown brawl.

The confrontation erupted during discussions over the appointment of a member to the country's Audit Chamber, after ruling Civil Contract party MP Taron Chakhoyan brought up a controversial pre-election remark linked to opposition leader Narek Karapetyan's relative.

Chakhoyan reminded Karapetyan that his cousin had yet to apologise for proposing a separate "ministry to satisfy women" if the opposition came to power, reported Armenian news agency Armenpress.

Karapetyan, who leads the opposition Strong Armenia faction, initially responded from his seat before approaching the podium, triggering a physical confrontation.

FROM WORDS TO BLOWS

The verbal exchange quickly spiralled into a fight, with lawmakers from both sides throwing punches and kicks. Footage broadcast live showed the confrontation unfolding inside the chamber before spilling into the parliamentary corridor.

Deputy Speaker Vahagn Aleksanyan was also seen throwing a chair towards opposition lawmakers, according to video footage.

Security personnel and fellow MPs struggled to separate those involved as the altercation continued outside the chamber. Obscene language was also reportedly heard during the clash.

SPEAKER BLAMES OPPOSITION LEADER

Parliament Speaker Ruben Rubinyan later held Karapetyan primarily responsible for the confrontation, saying he had reviewed footage of the exchange during the break and found no offensive remarks in Chakhoyan's speech.

"Mr. Karapetyan, you failed to control your emotions, made offensive remarks from your seat, and then stood up and attempted to hit Taron Chakhoyan," Rubinyan said, according to Armenpress.

He added that opposition MP Garnik Davtyan had struck Chakhoyan after the fight began. Rubinyan also said he had deliberately allowed the live broadcast to continue, so the public could see what was happening inside parliament.

AMBULANCE ARRIVES AFTER CLASH

An ambulance arrived at the parliamentary building following the brawl. Ukrainian news agency UNN reported that Strong Armenia MP Andranik Gevorgyan was bleeding from the nose, while fellow opposition MP Ruben Mkhitaryan's clothes had been torn.

Security personnel later formed a barrier between the rival groups in the corridors as tensions continued.

The latest confrontation follows another clash between members of Civil Contract and the opposition earlier in October. That incident came after Strong Armenia's Edgar Ghazaryan accused Rubinyan of misusing public funds over bonus payments to MPs.