15/12/2014 16:57
Armenian parliament speaker condemns attack on opposition MP
At the extraordinary session today the speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly Galust Sahakyan made a statement denouncing the attack on opposition deputy Aram Manukyan last week.
“While expressing concern over the recent acts of violence committed against well-known persons and expecting impartial and prompt actions from law enforcement bodies, the Armenian parliament believes that those guilty should be punished with the utmost rigor of the law,” G. Sahakyan stated.
In his words, the facts concerning violence against Aram Manukyan and other figures are at the center of the parliamentary speaker’s attention.
“We strictly condemn any manifestation of violence. We also urge NGOs and individuals to avoid statements that would impede the investigation and increase tension,” he said.
As was reported earlier, the opposition factions of the Armenian parliament boycotted the extraordinary session today. They demanded that the incident related to opposition MP Aram Manukyan be discussed.
National Assembly Speaker Galust Sahakyan said the issue could be discussed only after the extraordinary session, on Monday evening, after which the members of the opposition factions left the session hall.
The secretary of Armenian National Congress (HAK) opposition faction Aram Manukyan was assaulted last week. On Sunday, Arshak Svazyan, 41, was detained on suspicion of attacking Manukyan. He was released on his own recognizance today.