Armenia’s Special Investigation Service (SIS) has refused to open a criminal investigation into the brawl which erupted in the country’s National Assembly on May 8.

As lawmaker from opposition “Bright Armenia” fraction Ani Samsonyan wrote on her Facebook, the decision was made due to lack of grounds for initiation of criminal case.

“We can only conclude that is is permitted to punch an opposition lawmaker during a speech at the National Assembly. There is no need to speak of other details as the incident was live-streamed. On the other hand, those resorting to violence against a lawmaker from the ruling party may feel the full weight of the  Criminal Code  and the decisiveness of the judicial system to call the perpetrator to responsibility,” Samsonyan wrote.

To remind, the brawl broke out in the parliament while opposition Bright Armenia faction head Edmon Marukyan was addressing lawmakers and cabinet members. After a dispute with the latter, My Step faction MP Sasun Mikayelyan approached Marukyan as he was leaving the parliament floor and hit him, followed by a fight.

Dozens of legislators, as well as deputy Prime Minister Tigran Avinyan tried to pull the MPs apart, which turned into a big clash. The lawmakers also traded insults and swear words.

The Prosecutor General’s Office later announced it had examined the footage of the incident and sent the materials to SIS.