Andranik Kocharian, the controversial chairman of the Armenian parliament committee on defense and security, raged at Hripsime Jebejian of the Tribune.am news service when she approached him together with other parliamentary correspondents on March 20. Kocharian told Jebejian to “clean your lips” when she demanded an explanation for his hostility.
Journalists accredited in the National Assembly as well as Armenia’s leading media associations expressed outrage at Kocharian’s behavior. As many as 161 journalists signed afterwards a petition demanding the creation of a parliamentary ethics commission that would be empowered to not only investigate the lawmaker but also ask the Constitutional Court to oust him from the parliament.
The two opposition groups represented in the parliament swiftly added their voice to the demands. But the ad hoc commission cannot be formed without the consent of Civil Contract, which holds the majority of parliament seats.
The party led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian has yet to officially announce its position on the issue even if some of its female parliamentarians have deplored Kocharian’s behavior. One of them, Kristine Poghosian, on Thursday voiced support for the ethics inquiry.
The parliament will debate the proposed creation of the commission after the issue is discussed by one of its standing committees later this month. Taguhi Tovmasian, a lawmaker representing the opposition Pativ Unem bloc, warned that failure to give the green light to the probe would mean that the ruling party condones Kocharian’s “unacceptable, insolent behavior towards the journalist.”
Tovmasian was encouraged by the fact that legal experts from the parliament staff have formally recommended the creation of the commission. She said this may be an indication that the parliament’s pro-government majority will not block the probe.
Kocharian has refused to apologize to Jebejian, insisting that he said “nothing offensive” to the reporter. The 63-year-old deputy is notorious for frequent arguments with the press corps caused by his rude comments.
Another Civil Contract parliamentarian, Vilen Gabrielian, resigned last week after appearing drunk in public and swearing at another journalist, Koryun Simonian of Euromedia24.com, during the March 30 local election in Gyumri. Gabrielian made clear at the same time that he does not regret insulting Simonian.