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Some videos posted on social media show Armenian police officers forcefully detaining people, including crying women, for not wearing face masks, MP Edmon Marukyan from the opposition Bright Armenia faction said at the parliament on Wednesday.

The lawmaker stressed police officers could have only fined the citizens for violating the coronavirus safety rules. Denouncing the illegal police actions, he called for internal investigation into the incidents.

“You keep saying that people have come to power, not you. Now those people are being disrespected on the streets, and their rights are violated," Marukyan stated.

Ruling My Step alliance MP Armen Khachatryan urged to find out the circumstances of the incidents before condemning police actions. He assured that an internal investigation is being carried out to reveal all the circumstances.

“But I would like to say that all the posted videos are short, edited versions, and no one knows the background, including how they resisted the police," Khachatryan stressed, urging MPs to wait till they see what the investigation actually concludes.

Parliament Speaker Ararat Mirzoyan agreed with the lawmaker, urging all to respect the rules set in the country.