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On December 16 under Article 70 of the RA Constitution at the NA deputies’ initiative the parliament convened an extraordinary session having on the agenda the draft statement of the RA National Assembly submitted by the NA deputies Armen Rustamyan and Vahram Baghdasaryan on the violence committed recently towards the well-known political and public figures.

The draft statement says: “Expressing a deep concern over the violence committed recently towards the well-known political and public figures the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia announces:

1.      Considers inadmissible and reprehensible any attempt of silencing by force the right of people’s free expression,

2.      Condemns certain officials’ and political figures’ recent inadmissible posture and public expressions,

3.      Condemns any action damaging the international reputation of the country and the national unity,

4.      Especially highlights maintaining moderation, tolerance, rejecting mutual insults.

5.      Reaffirms the high responsibility of the National Assembly in providing legality and moral-political healthy atmosphere in the country.

The RA National Assembly demands from the law enforcement bodies to take all possible measures within short terms and disclose the authors of violence committed towards public figures, freedom fighters, the RA NA deputy Arama Manukyan and make them accountable by the whole strictness of law.”

In his main speech the NA deputy Armen Rustamyan thanked all the deputies, who joined the statement, highlighting the adoption of the draft law by the National Assembly. He highlighted the political assessment to the phenomenon by the parliament.

The NA deputies Aghvan Vardanyan, Tevan Poghosyan, Khosrov Harutyunyan, Margarit Yesayan, Levon Zurabyan, Naira Zohrabyan, Vahan Babayan, Gagik Jhangiryan, Sedrak Saroyan, Nikol Pashinyan, Mher Shahgeldyan and Hovhannes Margaryan expressed their viewpoints related to this issue.

The RA NA Deputy Speaker Eduard Sharmazanov in his extraordinary speech highlighted the adoption of the statement by the National Assembly. The NA Deputy Speaker called on his colleagues to get united and be tolerant. Mr Sharmazanov thanked all of them who will go to compromise during voting and vote for it.

The Head of the Heritage faction Rubik Hakobyan, the member of the ARF faction Artsvik Minasyan, the Head of the RPA faction Vahram Baghdasaryan expressed their viewpoints on the matter.

In his final speech the key speaker Armen Rustamyan touched upon the voiced speeches and opinions, He thanked the deputies for the recommendations in written form and told them they were included in the edited version of the draft.

The deputies passed the draft statement of the RA National Assembly with 71 for, 1 against and 9 abstained.

Covering the agenda the National Assembly ended the work of the extraordinary session.