Armenia’s ex-president files second defamation lawsuit against parliamentary speaker

Former Armenian President Robert Kocharyan has filed a second defamation lawsuit against National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan, demanding a public apology for what he describes as false and insulting statements posted online.

The new lawsuit, filed on July 10, follows an earlier suit lodged on June 14 over comments Simonyan made during a May 15 press briefing. In both cases, Kocharyan claims his honour and dignity were damaged, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

In the first case, Kocharyan is seeking 9 million drams (approximately $23,000) in compensation — 6 million ($15,300) for slander and 3 million ($7,700) for insult. The Yerevan court has accepted this suit for review.

The second lawsuit, which has not yet been accepted by the court, stems from social media posts Simonyan made after learning about the first legal action. In those posts, the Speaker accused Kocharyan of having a “fragile inner world” and referenced previous remarks in which he called the former president a “spy” and “illiterate.”

Unlike the first case, the second lawsuit does not include a monetary claim. Kocharyan is only requesting a retraction and public apology to be published on Simonyan’s Facebook and Telegram channels.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan may also face legal consequences. Kocharyan has demanded 6 million drams ($15,300) in compensation for moral damages over a statement in which the prime minister referred to him as a “bribe-taker,” citing a court ruling.

By Sabina Mammadli