The Standing Committee on Defense and Security of the National Assembly of Armenia had a heated debate over the draft decision of the National Assembly on lifting martial law during its session today (the draft decision is authored by the opposition Prosperous Armenia and Bright Armenia factions).

Leader of the Bright Armenia faction Edmon Marukyan recalled that this is the third time that his faction is presenting the decision following the hostilities.

“The authorities are pursuing a political goal by not lifting martial law, meaning the authorities aren't lifting martial law in order to not let the parliament launch a process of impeachment and not allow elections of local self-government bodies. Yes, citizens’ rights are restricted because one fifth of the parliament represents nearly 205,000 voters, and they aren’t able to launch the process of impeachment through their representatives due to martial law,” Marukyan said.