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Lawyer Aram Orbelyan claimed the Constitutional Court decision concerning Armenia’s Declaration of Independence amounted to a "coup".

In its ruling on September 16, the top court downplayed the legal significance of the 1990 declaration of Armenia’s independence referred to in the preamble of the country’s constitution.

Speaking at parliamentary hearings on Thursday, Orbelyan argued that the Constitutional Court was unauthorized to make such comments on the declaration.

“The Constitutional Court decision states that the Declaration of Independence is not part of the constitutional and legal system of Armenia,” the lawyer said.

“Was the court allowed to make such a decision? Was the decision lawful? That’s the problem. I believe the answer is no. What happens when the "constitutional body" of Armenia implements an illegal process? It’s tantamount to a coup, which is a crime punishable under at least 5-6 articles of the Armenian Criminal Code,” Orbelyan stated, calling for a legal response to it.