Arthur Suqoyan, assistant to National Assembly member Levon Kocharyan, has alleged that the recent brawl in parliament—“orchestrated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan”—and the increasing pressure on opposition figures by security forces are deliberate efforts to distract public attention and neutralize those defending the Holy Church. He expressed this view in a Facebook post, as reported by RFE/RL.

According to Suqoyan, all opposition MPs clearly understand the intentions of the ruling Civil Contract Party and are prepared to face any challenge, even at the cost of personal attacks, defamation, violence, or arrest.

“Our struggle is not limited to the assembly hall. At this moment, the issue is not the parliament or resolving personal disputes but rather what this government is preparing for,” he stated.

He called attention to what he described as “Nikol Pashinyan’s open attack against the Mother See,” stressing that this is not a whimsical decision but “an outright war against our faith, our sanctities, and our national identity.”

Suqoyan urged Armenians to unite around the cause of defending the Holy Church, which he described as key to preserving the nation’s identity, dignity, and very existence.

In a postscript, he warned against complacency, arguing that even institutions with centuries of survival can perish without active public defense. He said that Pashinyan’s administration has already begun a “legal, political, and propaganda” campaign against the Church and that historical memory alone won’t be enough to protect it.

“This is not the past of ancient monasteries. This is not a completed chapter in Church history. This is our time. Our trial. Our responsibility,” he concluded, adding that the current generation must decide whether it will write a glorious new chapter for the Church or close its 1700-year path.

Earlier, tensions escalated in the National Assembly during the discussion of a motion to strip opposition MP Arthur Sargsyan of immunity and place him under arrest. Following his speech, security staff entered the chamber. After tensions slightly eased, Police Patrol Service officers arrived to detain Arthur Suqoyan. Deputy Speaker Hakob Arshakyan commented that the opposition's goal was to escalate tensions and called for calm.