Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, primate of the Shirak Diocese, announced from the courtyard of Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin that he has not hidden and does not plan to hide, asserting he will go with law enforcement.
“I am not hiding anywhere and have no intention to do so. What’s happening is unlawful. I am not a threat to this country; the threat is sitting in the government. But those carrying out that madness threaten by force. I will go with them, and the clergy will follow me,” he said, Sputnik Armenia reports.
He declared that “what is occurring is illegality” and emphasized that he personally will accompany investigative authorities, with clergy in support.
His Holiness Catholicos Karekin II stated that the clergy will discuss their next steps at the Mother See. “The hierarch now will go with our lawyer. We will proceed to Etchmiadzin, convene, hold our discussions, and decide on further action. We will exert every effort to ensure justice for the church clergy and the nation,” said the Catholicos.
In the morning, about 30 masked individuals stormed the Shirak Diocese headquarters, according to lawyer Mihran Poghosyan. Archbishop Mikael, however, was at Holy Etchmiadzin. On June 27, a clergy meeting was scheduled at the Mother See. The National Security Service is on site, likely planning to search the Catholicos’ residence. Lawyer Ara Zohrapian reported that criminal proceedings have been initiated against Ajapahyan and that a legal defense team is being formed.
