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Russian Duma speaker blasts lawmakers' fistfight

"Regardless of the motive behind the incident, the political parties the lawmakers represent and their merits, it is my firm belief that it is unworthy of State Duma deputy's status," Naryshkin said

MOSCOW, December 04. /ITAR-TASS/. Speaking of the State Duma lower house of Russia' s parliament Sergei Naryshkin said participation in fistfight is unworthy of lawmaker's status, referring to the Tuesday scuffle between members of the United Russia faction.

"Regardless of the motive behind the incident, the political parties the lawmakers represent and their merits, it is my firm belief that it is unworthy of State Duma deputy's status," Naryshkin underscored.

"What happened at the State Duma yesterday has no right to happen in top legislative boy, namely fistfights between two deputies," he went on.

"I say the parliament will not be looking into who was right and who was wrong. The line has been crossed beyond which the matter cannot be a subject of lawmakers' discussion," the speaker said.

He said it was up to law-enforcement bodies to draw conclusions and that those wishing to hear comments should contact police. "As State Duma speaker responsible for legislative process - the principal activity - I'd like to ask all deputies to refrain from comments and not mount tension in our parliament and in our society," Naryshkin said.

The parliament has much work to do as it is to address citizens' concerns, he added.

 

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