National Assembly member Taguhi Tovmasyan has called for the resignation of Artur Hovhannisyan, secretary of the ruling Civil Contract faction, stating that “an apology does not solve the issue.”
In a Facebook post, Tovmasyan thanked the hundreds of people who expressed support and especially acknowledged female MPs and opposition factions for their prompt stance and willingness to form an ethics committee.
She also noted that even a few members of the ruling faction had condemned Hovhannisyan’s behavior, showing that some within the government are ashamed of his conduct.
Tovmasyan said her official letter to the Speaker of Parliament, requesting that Hovhannisyan undergo mandatory drug testing before entering the National Assembly, is legally grounded. She referred to regulations effective as of August 1, 2025, which apply to medical personnel and, in her view, should also apply to MPs and officials.
She emphasized that Hovhannisyan’s behavior clearly violates parliamentary ethical norms: “Sobriety and decency are core traits of adequacy—without them, the state apparatus is endangered.”
Tovmasyan added that instead of substantive counterarguments or political commentary, her proposal was met with offensive remarks, aiming to discredit her as a woman, which ultimately backfired on the person who, in her words, “may be the one actually in need of help.”
On the matter of forming an ethics committee, Tovmasyan expressed skepticism: “It’s clear the committee won’t have the political will to punish Artur Hovhannisyan, so there’s no point in pursuing it.” She cited the ruling party’s silence as proof.
She concluded by stating, “Artur Hovhannisyan has crossed a red line. He must resign. He cannot avoid legal responsibility. I will make sure of that.”
Her post also criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s silence, suggesting it legitimizes this dangerous precedent and undermines public trust in state values and moral norms.
Previously, the opposition I Have Honor faction announced plans to initiate the formation of a temporary commission to investigate Hovhannisyan’s conduct.
Tovmasyan had earlier informed Speaker Alen Simonyan that Hovhannisyan had disrupted her briefing on Armenian prisoners being tortured in Baku. She demanded daily drug testing for Hovhannisyan, with publicized results.
In response, Hovhannisyan made a crude remark to reporters, suggesting that if such a test were imposed on him, Tovmasyan should undergo daily STD testing to explain her personal property holdings.
