YEREVAN. – The members of non-coalition parliamentary factions are going to give a joint media conference, ANC deputy Aram Manukyan told protesters gathered near the building of the National Assembly. (photo)

He said the gas agreement was approved by false vote since there was no e-voting and four non-coalition forces did not participate in the meeting of the commission that was counting the votes.

Activists are calling on the opposition deputies to give up their mandates instead of speaking. The head of Heritage parliamentary group Zaruhi Postanjyan said that four non-coalition groups consider possibility of holding a mass rally.

Earlier Postanjyan took away the cards for voting, therefore the lawmakers voted by the show of hands. Speaker Abrahamyan said there are 77 votes for.

A group of activist started a march to the Liberty Square, but the majority remained near the building of the National Assembly. They are chanting “shame on you” slogans. 

The NA commenced its special session, during which the natural gas agreements, which were signed during Russian President Vladimir Putin’s visit to Armenia on December 2, were put on the vote. Under the agreement, the remaining 20 percent of the ArmRusGazprom Company shares, which the Government of Armenia owns, will be sold to the Russian energy giant Gazprom Company. As a result, Armenia is expected be deprived of the opportunity to import natural gas from other countries, or to change the terms for the import of gas, until the year 2043.