Member of Parliament resigns after insulting journalist in Gyumri, issues apology

Civil Contract party Member of Parliament Vilen Gabrielyan has announced his resignation after insulting a reporter during the Gyumri city council election.

Gabrielyan appeared to be intoxicated when he was approached by a reporter on Sunday in Gyumri. The encounter quickly escalated and the MP swore at the reporter.

“Dear countrymen, I have a clear conviction that the culture of having political responsibility has a key role in political processes, and in turn it requires the respective will and determination, which I have always possessed. I find the so-called incidents involving myself in Gyumri on Sunday to be inappropriate conduct for a Member of Parliament of Armenia. A Member of Parliament must not display unnecessary behavior during his mission. Thus, I publicly apologize to everyone and I am officially announcing my resignation as Member of Parliament. I will tender the application today to the parliament’s staff as required by procedures,” Gabrielyan said in a statement on Tuesday.

He said he would nominate his candidacy for member of the board of the Civil Contract party.

He said the party needs to transform its image.