A parliamentary session in Armenia ended in fisticuffs on Tuesday (October 6) after an opposition politician accused the parliamentary speaker of embezzling state funds.

Ruben Rubinyan, the parliamentary speaker and a close ally of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, twice shut off the microphone of Edgar Kazaryan of the pro-Russian Strong Armenia party, who in a speech to parliament charged Rubinyan with stealing from state coffers, Armenian media reported.

It was not clear if Kazaryan offered evidence to back that assertion. Video from the National Assembly obtained by Reuters showed an angry shoving match between deputies.

Less than an hour later, a second scuffle occurred as a result of a disagreement between ruling party parliamentarians and opposition deputies over a government decision to convene an investigative committee to discuss the status of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Armenian media reported.

Pashinyan has accused the Apostolic Church, without presenting evidence, of acting as a proxy for foreign powers, namely Russia. He has repeatedly called for the resignation of Catholicos Karekin II, who has led the Church since 1999 and has heavily criticised Pashinyan and his policies.

Karekin and the church deny the government's accusations.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

YEREVAN, ARMENIA (OCTOBER 6, 2026) (24NEWS.AM - Access all)

1. VARIOUS OF MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT SHOVING EACH OTHER AND SHOUTING

2. POLICE TAKING PARLIAMENT MEMBERS OUT OF THE ROOM

3. SPEAKER LOOKING ON

4. MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT PUSHING AND SHOUTING AT EACH OTHER

5. MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT STANDING NEXT TO CHAIRS

6. MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WALKING AWAY AS POLICE SEPARATE POLITICIANS

7. SPEAKER TAKING HIS SEAT

8. MEMBERS OF PARLIAMENT WALKING AWAY AS POLICE SEPARATE POLITICIANS