Tensions boiled over at a meeting of Yerevan’s Council of Elders after members of Armenia’s ruling party and opposition representatives became involved in a physical confrontation during a heated debate.

The incident reportedly began after members of the opposition Mother Armenia faction accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s ruling Civil Contract party of electoral misconduct during recent elections, The Caspian Post reports via news.am.

During the session, Yerevan Deputy Mayor Armen Pambukhchyan, a member of the ruling party, called on opposition representative Gevork Stepanyan to leave the chamber. In the ensuing exchange, Pambukhchyan referenced allegations against Andranik Tevanyan, leader of the Mother Armenia bloc.

Stepanyan responded by arguing that there was no court ruling supporting such claims. The verbal dispute quickly escalated, with shouting breaking out among council members.

The situation deteriorated further when a member of the ruling faction threw a bottle toward Manuk Sukiasyan, triggering a physical altercation inside the council chamber.

Video footage circulating online captured the chaotic scenes as officials and attendees attempted to separate those involved.