Parliament considers lifting deputy Hovik Aghazaryan's immunity

PanARMENIAN.Net - Former Civil Contract member and now independent MP, Hovik Aghazaryan, believes that the Prosecutor General's motion to revoke his parliamentary immunity is a political decision. He is convinced that the ruling majority in the National Assembly will approve the motion.

"Only a few members of the Civil Contract faction are lawyers capable of adequately or accurately assessing situations; the rest lack sufficient legal knowledge. Therefore, they should allow the prosecutor's office and other law enforcement agencies to initiate proceedings to determine what has occurred," Aghazaryan stated during a conversation with journalists in the National Assembly.

The deputy is confident that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan aims to strip him of his mandate but suggests an easier method. According to Aghazaryan, the Civil Contract should lose the Gyumri municipal elections, after which the Prime Minister would announce snap parliamentary elections, resulting in everyone, including himself, losing their mandates.

Despite Pashinyan's declining approval ratings, Aghazaryan believes he still maintains the highest rating. He also emphasized that after his departure, the Civil Contract's rating decreased by about 1%.

Addressing political pressures, Aghazaryan noted that he is subjected not to political persecution but to political pressure.

"For two reasons: one, because I didn't lay down my mandate, and Mr. Prime Minister and the political team believe that this damages the authority of the government. The second reason is to restrain some of my former colleagues in anticipation of my prospects. We know what processes we are currently involved in, and these processes should, in some cases, proceed smoothly," he emphasized.

The deputy promised to present facts during the National Assembly session that would reveal important truths.

Regarding the possibility of joining opposition movements, Aghazaryan stated that his position is different; however, if the people take to the streets en masse, he might join.

"Pashinyan has led our country through the most challenging times, and he has exhausted himself psychologically, physically, and morally; he needs to rest. We must do everything to ensure that during regular or snap elections, Mr. Prime Minister is not re-elected," Aghazaryan concluded.

On December 3, 2024, the ruling Civil Contract expelled Aghazaryan from the party, citing that he had publicized confidential information of state and party significance and had grossly violated public moral norms.

On December 9, the Prosecutor's Office reported that the publication regarding Hovik Aghazaryan organizing leaks containing state secrets was sent to the Anti-Corruption Committee to decide on initiating criminal proceedings. Later, it became known that criminal proceedings had been initiated.