Armenian Parliament Speaker blames opposition for Russian  restrictions on Armenian imports

ArmInfo. The leaders of the three-headed opposition – Robert Kocharyan, Samvel Karapetyan, and others – must stop their actions aimed at provoking Russia into imposing sanctions against Armenia, as stated by Alen Simonyan, Speaker of the RA National Assembly, to journalists on May 23, during the ruling Civil Contract party's campaign in the capital's Avan  district. Simonyan was commenting on the latest restrictions imposed  by the Russian side on the import of Armenian goods into the Russian  market.

According to the Speaker, political influence should not be exerted  through encouragement and provocation. " You make claims, but I  declare that nothing of the sort will happen. You had better ask that  liar 'Samo of Kaluga' [Samvel Karapetyan], 'Robik' Kocharyan, and  'Gagik' Tsarukyan if they feel comfortable when videos emerge daily  showing their supporters accused of electoral bribery, while they  simultaneously claim that Russia will take certain steps against  Armenia," Simonyan said. The Speaker once again engaged in a polemic  with the press, asserting that it is the media that is straining  bilateral relations. He noted that apart from a few outlets, the rest  serve the interests of Robert Kocharyan, Samvel Karapetyan, Gagik  Tsarukyan, and Serzh Sargsyan—interests that, he claimed, originate  from abroad. He urged journalists to speak directly to business  owners, adding, "Go ahead, call them, you are spreading lies," he  noted.

When asked why no apology was issued after the dissemination of  information falsely claiming that Narek Karapetyan holds Russian  citizenship, Simonyan shifted to sharp rhetoric against the  journalist, stating, "You are lying, you are telling falsehoods."

In response to a question regarding the legal case against Andranik  Tevanyan, the leader of the "Mother Armenia" party, the head of the  legislature noted that Tevanyan must face the harshest possible  punishment, as espionage against one's own state is the worst thing  one can do.