Armenian parliament OKs monument vandalism bill
The Armenian parliament overwhelmingly passed in the first reading on Wednesday an opposition bill calling for tougher penalties against vandals who damage public monuments.
The bill introduced by Lilit Galstyan, a lawmaker representing the main opposition Hayastan faction, proposes 100,000 drams instead of the current 50,000 drams in fines for offenders.
A total of 91 MPs, including those from the ruling Civil Contract party, backed the legislative amendment. Six deputies abstained from voting.
The parliament also approved in the first reading a bill on audiovisual media drafted by Lilit Galstyan and her fellow Hayastan MP Elinar Vardanyan.