Sharmazanov: Opposition needs a pretext so as not to work

The Armenian parliamentary vice speaker Edward Sharmazanov said that the members of the opposition factions found a pretext for not working at the extraordinary session of the parliament today.

“I see elements of a political show in what has happened. We were the first to condemn the attack on Aram Manukyan. As you know, a suspect was found and the problem is now in a legal dimension,” he noted.

“I want to ask those who demand convening an urgent sitting: Under what clause should we disrupt the extraordinary session? I urge my colleagues not to create uproar in the parliament,” Sharmazanov said.

“They should look for another job if they do not want to work. They just need a pretext,” he added.

As was reported earlier, the opposition factions of the 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.