The hearing initiated by Lilit Galtsian, the chairwoman of the Armenian parliament committee on human rights affiliated with the opposition Hayastan alliance, discussed socioeconomic and other problems facing Karabakh refugees in Armenia. Opening the meeting, Galstian listed “representatives of Artsakh’s parliament” among its participants.

Her colleagues representing the ruling Civil Contract party as well as several senior government officials staged the walkout about 30 minutes later. One of the pro-government lawmakers, Mariam Poghosian, told reporters that Galstian’s description of the Karabakh Armenians attending the discussion is at odds with the Armenian government’s policy articulated by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian.

Echoing Pashinian’s recent statement, Poghosian said the government will not tolerate the existence of “a second state” in Armenia. Arega Hovsepian, a Karabakh-born opposition parliamentarian, denounced this stance.

“Just a few years ago, you visited Artsakh and held meetings at its National Assembly,” Hovsepian said, appealing to Pashinian’s political allies. “Some of you sat at dinner tables and raised toasts there. Do not forget the past … Some time later, you will not be in power. So make sure you won’t be too embarrassed to walk on the streets.”

Ara Ghazarian, an expert on international law also present at the hearing, likened the walkout to Azerbaijani officials’ behavior during international court cases related to the Karabakh conflict.

“I have been involved in legal proceedings against Azerbaijan for 16 years” said Ghazarian. “From the very first cases, Azerbaijan demanded that the European Court [of Human Rights] not use the Armenian names or documents from state and public bodies of Artsakh. From the outset, the European Court rejected these demands … The European Court has even recognized decisions of Artsakh courts as legitimate acts and issued rulings based on them.”

Ever since recognizing Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh in 2022, Pashinian has repeatedly lambasted Karabakh Armenian leaders for continuing to present themselves as a government in exile. He again lashed out at them in May this year while bitterly arguing with a Karabakh activist during an election campaign engagement in Yerevan.

“Don’t you dare to say that there is a Karabakh National Assembly or a government in Armenia. I’ll root out all of you,” Pashinian cried.

Later in May, a Yerevan court allowed the Armenian authorities to seize the building of the Karabakh Armenian leadership’s permanent representation in Armenia. Lawyers representing the Karabakh leaders appealed against the ruling. Speaking in the parliament earlier this month, Pashinian expressed confidence that the appeal will be rejected by higher courts.