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Opposition MP Tigran Abrahamyan has brushed aside Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s claims about a possible swap of territories with Azerbaijan.

Abrahamyan, the Pativ Unem faction secretary, stated that Pashinyan had to backtrack on his statements signaling readiness to unilaterally hand over border villages to Azerbaijan following a strong backlash from residents of Armenia's Tavush Province.

“In an effort to contain the public discontent, he again resorted to the practice of lying,” the deputy wrote on Facebook on Friday, referring to Pashinyan’s latest meetings with residents of the Tavush villages of Voskepar, Kirants and Berkaber.

“Pashinyan’s point is that the Berkaber lands will remain under Azerbaijani occupation if Armenia refuses to cede areas adjacent to Kirants, Voskepar and Baghanis to Baku,” the MP said.

“In fact, Azerbaijan seeks to get eight villages from Armenia and give nothing in return. The Armenian leadership perfectly realizes it but creates a false impression among people about alleged discussions on a swap of territories with Azerbaijan,” Abrahamyan said, adding Pashinyan’s government is attempting to change public attitudes to smooth out the planned unilateral land handover to Azerbaijan.