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Opposition Hayastan faction MP Artsvik Minasyan on Thursday attacked his pro-government colleagues for their decision to boycott the election of a Constitutional Court (CC) judge.

Davit Balayan fell short in a vote to serve as a new top court judge on Wednesday after MPs from the ruling Civil Contact party boycotted the secret ballot.

Addressing the parliament, Minasyan accused the authorities of seeking to curb judicial independence in Armenia.

"It’s a nonsense when the ruling party boycotts the fulfillment of its constitutional duties without giving any reasons,” the MP stated.

“The pro-government majority is also sending a message to the people that whoever refuses to bow to their demands or tries to demonstrate some courage, objectivity and adhere to the rule of law, the Constitution, they have no place in the government, all the more so in the constitutional justice system,” he added.