They have gone to court.

At last.

Mr. Gagik Tsarukyan, the leader of the so-called 'Prosperous Armenia' party, has seen fit to file a formal petition. His targets? The Prime Minister, Mr. Nikol Pashinyan, and the National Television.

Quite a spectacle.

According to the judicial records—those dusty ledgers of the state—the dispute is of a most spirited nature.

Mr. Pashinyan had seen fit to speak. He spoke loudly. He spoke boldly. He called Mr. Tsarukyan a spy. An agent. A scoundrel engaged in criminal conspiracies to plunder the wealth of the Armenian people.

How dreadful.

Now, Mr. Tsarukyan demands a retraction. He wishes for the Premier to admit his error. And, of course, he asks for twenty-four thousand five hundred and forty dollars for 'moral damages.'

Money for one's wounded pride.

A classic transaction.

But there is more. The National Television is also in the dock. They dared to suggest that the Prosperous Armenia party was merely a puppet, founded by the decree of the former President, Mr. Robert Kocharyan.

A circular of suspicion, as it were.

For this impertinence, Mr. Tsarukyan demands thirty-two thousand five hundred dollars, plus the costs of the solicitors.

Justice, it seems, has a very specific price tag.

And what of the atmosphere of this grand drama? The OSCE mission, in their preliminary report, noted that Mr. Pashinyan had spent his campaign threatening the opposition.

Threats. Accusations. Shouting.

One wonders if these gentlemen ever find a moment for tea and quiet reflection.

But alas, the state prefers the theater of the courtroom to the silence of the library.

Such is the way of the world.