In a statement issued today by the HAK (Armenian National Congress), the opposition led alliance severely rebuked Central Electoral Commission Secretary Abraham Bakhchagyulyan for remarks he made on television regarding the recent assault and beating of several women in the Yerevan's Avan neighborhood who were distributing HAK flyers. On the "Asbarez" TV program of May 17, CEC Secretary Bakhchagyulyan stated, "It's not possible to take a one-sided view of the incident. According to my information, those distributing flyers were also cursing at the same time. They can't be considered women." The HAK statement argues that the CEC Secretary essentially is justifying the attack on the women activists who needed medical treatment after being attacked. The statement goes on to say that the secretary not only made a bold-faced lie about the conduct of the women but that his shameless remarks merely serve to incite further such attacks on opposition candidates. CEC Secretary Bakhchagyulyan is a member of the ruling majority Republican Party.