NA session marked by another `circus show`

ArmInfo. A plenary session of the National Assembly of Armenia on August 12, 2026,  devolved into another "circus show" between ruling and opposition  factions as lawmakers debated the nomination of Arusyak Julhakyan for  Chair of the Standing Committee on State and Legal Affairs. 

During a speech by opposition "Armenia" faction MP Kristine  Vardanyan, ruling "Civil Contract" lawmakers began banging on their  desks whenever the name of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin  II, was mentioned. This action mirrored tactics used by the  opposition over the previous two days when ruling party members  referred to the Catholicos by his secular name, Ktrich Nersisyan. In  response to the desk-banging, opposition members began clapping.

Vardanyan criticized the behavior of the ruling majority, describing  it as a "kindergarten preparatory course." Parliamentary Vice Speaker  Ruben Rubinyan intervened to halt the disruptions, calling order to  the chamber and urging Vardanyan to proceed with her address.

Earlier, it wasy reported that the criminal case against Catholicos  of All Armenians Karekin II and six bishops had been transferred to  Judge Serzh Rushanyan. The previous judge, Hakob Manukyan, recused  himself from the trial. The court hearing itself lasted no more than  half an hour.