A controversial draft by MPs of the ruling “Civil Contract” Faction was debated on at Tuesday’s session of the National Assembly (NA) of Armenia amid an opposition boycott.

This draft is “On determining the number of members of the inquiry committee investigating the issues of the crisis that arose in the [Armenian Apostolic] Church as a result of the activities of a number of clergymen of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and the resulting failure to fulfill the exclusive mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in the spiritual life of the Armenian people, the development of its national culture, and the preservation of national identity.”

The draft was presented from the NA rostrum by Arman Yeghoyan, a lawmaker of the ruling faction, who will head the aforementioned inquiry committee.

“The [inquiry] committee will include 11 MPs: seven from the ‘Civil Contract,’ three from the opposition ‘Strong Armenia’ Faction, and one from the opposition ‘Armenia’ Faction,” Yeghoyan noted.

According to the head of Armenian government, based on the results of the work of the aforementioned inquiry committee, law initiatives shall be developed that will be aimed at “stopping the seizure of the [Armenian Apostolic] Church.”

Both opposition parliamentary factions, however, have accused the authorities of unconstitutional actions against the Armenian Apostolic Church, and announced their refusal to participate in the activities of this inquiry committee.

As a result, 62 MPs voted in favor, whereas one lawmaker voted against the draft.