World · Europe · 1 hr ago
Fistfight breaks out between MPs in Armenia's parliament
Lawmakers from Armenia's ruling party and opposition fought inside the National Assembly after a heated exchange.
The dispute began when ruling-party MP Taron Chakhoyan accused opposition leader Narek Karapetyan of corruption and referred to a proposal by Karapetyan's cousin for a “Ministry of Sex.”
MPs from both sides then scuffled, threw punches and hurled chairs.
The Speaker kept the session and live broadcast going, saying he wanted people to see what was happening.
After the fight stopped, Chakhoyan apologised, while Karapetyan called it a normal fight.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned that anyone who attacked a lawmaker would face force, saying a chair could be used if necessary.
The clash exposed a sharp confrontation between Armenia's government and opposition, but no further action is described.
A fistfight broke out between ruling-party and opposition MPs in Armenia’s National Assembly.
The confrontation followed a ruling-party MP’s allegations about corruption and an opposition-linked proposal for a “Ministry of Sex.”
MPs exchanged punches and threw chairs during the parliamentary session.
Speaker Ruben Rubinyan declined to suspend the session or stop its live broadcast.
After the session resumed, one MP apologised, while an opposition MP defended the fight.
- Who
- MPs from Armenia’s ruling Civil Contract party and the opposition Strong Armenia party.
- What
- MPs fought in the National Assembly, throwing chairs and exchanging punches.
- When
- 30 October 2026, according to the article’s publication date.
- Where
- Armenia’s National Assembly.
- Why
- The fight followed a heated exchange over corruption allegations and a reported proposal for a “Ministry of Sex.
Civil Contract party
Strong Armenia party
Corruption allegations
Civil Contract party
Taron Chakhoyan accused Narek Karapetyan of being “mired in corruption.
Strong Armenia party
Karapetyan defended the fight and said opposition MPs had been provoked for months.
Ministry of Sex” remarks
Civil Contract party
Chakhoyan cited a proposal by Karapetyan’s cousin for a ministry to “satisfy all women.
Strong Armenia party
The article does not report a response from Karapetyan to that specific allegation.
Taron Chakhoyan raised corruption allegations and cited a proposal for a “Ministry of Sex.
MPs from both parties began fighting on the floor of the National Assembly.
A chair was thrown towards Deputy Speaker Vahagn Aleksanyan, and the brawl was brought to a halt.
Chakhoyan apologised, while Karapetyan defended the fight.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned that anyone who fought in parliament would have their arm “broken.
- Location
- Armenia’s National Assembly
- Ruling-party MP
- Taron Chakhoyan, Civil Contract
- Opposition party leader
- Narek Karapetyan, Strong Armenia
- Speaker
- Ruben Rubinyan
- Deputy Speaker
- Vahagn Aleksanyan
- Published
- 30 October 2026
What people are saying
I want everyone to see all of this.
normal Armenian-style man-to-man fight
If anyone thinks they can raise a hand against a member of the National Assembly, hit them or do anything else, we will break that arm. I'm saying this plainly, without beating around the bush.
People mired in corruption are now lecturing us about corruption and fake news, claiming that their relatives have supposedly become targets of [government pressure].