The preliminary investigation into Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan has concluded, and the case materials will be submitted to court, his legal team has confirmed.
“The investigator informed Archbishop Mikael’s defense team via a July 23 notice that the investigation has concluded. Familiarization with the case materials is scheduled for July 24,” the statement reads.
The investigator will submit the indictment and related materials to the supervising prosecutor. Within seven days of receiving the documents, the prosecutor must decide whether to approve the indictment. Once approved, the case will be forwarded to the competent court.
Upon receiving the case, a judge must decide within three days whether to take over the case and schedule preliminary hearings.
The first court session is to be scheduled within two weeks following this decision. During preliminary hearings, the court will review any pretrial detention measures imposed on the defendant — whether to revoke, alter, or extend them — or impose a new measure if none has been applied.
On the morning of June 27, around 30 masked individuals stormed the Diocese of Shirak headquarters. Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, however, was at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for a clergy meeting. He later reported to the Investigative Committee and was remanded in custody for two months by court order. Ajapahyan faces criminal charges for public incitement to usurp power, violate territorial integrity, renounce sovereignty, or overthrow the constitutional order.
