Mass brawl breaks out in Armenian Parliament

YEREVAN, Armenia (CBS, KYMA) - A mass brawl broke out between lawmakers in Armenia's National Assembly Thursday, leaving an opposition MP with a bloody nose and prompting an ambulance to arrive at the parliament building, according to news outlets.

The altercation began during remarks by ruling Civil Contract party MP Taron Chakhoyan, who exchanged words with Strong Armenia's leader, Narek Karapetyan.

The confrontation escalated as lawmakers stood up, pushing and punching one another.

Opposition MP Andranik Gevorgyan was seen with a bloody nose, while fellow Strong Armenia lawmaker Ruben Mkhitaryan had torn clothing, local media said.

The session later resumed, with National Assembly Speaker Ruben Rubinyan blaming opposition lawmakers for the confrontation, Armenpress reported.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan also condemned the violence while defending the actions of his party's lawmakers.