The provision of Article 5, the Legal Regime of the State of Emergency bill, which provides for using armed forces to disperse, restrict protests, is unconstitutional, according to lawyer Rafik Petrosyan, a Republican Party of Armenia (RPA) MP. It is the reason why he voted nay on that bill on first reading, “Galust Sahakyan told me at the break ‘if it is so (meaning Rafik Petrosyan’s speaking against the bill during discussions – M.B.), vote as you like.’ And I voted nay.” Presently they negotiate with the ministry of justice, according to Mr. Petrosyan, in order to exclude that item, “If it is not excluded, I will vote nay on second reading too,” Rafik Petrosyan said during a press conference that took place today, noting that it was against the international law and our Constitution “to use the army by one political force against another political force.” His opponent, MP of former convocations of the National Assembly Aghasi Arshakyan noted that in this instance Mr. Petrosyan’s “professional conscience has risen up against party dictatorship.” Then, he assumed that this one nay against the party’s will might cost Mr. Petrosyan dearly – he would not be included on the RPA list. “If they will not include me for that, it is not worth being in that parliament,” said Rafik Petrosyan.
Melanya BARSEGHYAN
