HOMOSEXUAL SCANDAL IN ARMENIA’s POLITICAL ELITE

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 30. ARMINFO. A homosexual scandal has broken out in
Armenia’s political elite. Parliamentarians came to calling one
another gays, and homosexualism became a subject of serious
discussions and comments in the ruling elite.

Today’s briefing at the RA National Assembly focused on the subject
and on the possibility of gays being members of the ruling elite. The
member of the “People’s Deputy” Hakob Hakobyan publicly called
Vice-Chairman of the “Law-Governed Country” party, Chairman of the
Parliamentary Commission for Defense, National Security and internal
Affairs Mher Shahgelsyan a homosexual, stating that he can present
proofs in court. In his turn, Shahgeldyan denied the claim. “Hakob
Hakobyan’s claim is a filthy lie. He just could not discredit me in
another, as I have a stainless reputation. Nobody would believe him if
he accused me of financial embezzlements, bribery, changing party
affiliation, so he decided to discredit me in this way,” Shahgeldyan
said. “After this claim Hakobyan has to have a man-to-man talk,”
Shahgelsyan said. He pointed out that he does not consider it
advisable to apply to court now.

The scandal broke out yesterday, Hakobyan demanded that Parliament
Speaker, Chairman of the “Law-Governed Country” party Artur
Baghdasaryan present an annual report on the Parliament’s
expenses. According to him, even Vice-Speakers Tigran Torosyan
(Vice-Chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia) and Vahan
Hovhannesyan (ARF Board member) agreed with him. Hakobyan demanded
that the Speaker report on the spending of the additional 65,000 USD
provided to the Parliament by the RA Government. The Speaker did not
satisfied Hakobyan’s demand, which aroused the latter’s
indignation. He began swearing at the Speaker and the Head of the
Parliament staff, claiming that “persons that came to Parliament in
T-shirts are now driving armored Jeeps’.” Hakobyan stated that he is
even ready to transgress law for the people’s benefit. Then he made a
shocking claim that Vice-Chairman of the “Law-Governed Country” party
Mher Shahgelsyan is a “gay.” It is noteworthy that the reason for
active talks about homosexualism in Armenia’s political elite is a
statement made by Chairman of the “Armenian-Aryan Order” party Armen
Avetiosyan that some of the Armenian minister and parliamentarians are
gays, and he intends to publish their names soon.