The investigation into Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan has concluded, with prosecutors preparing to pursue charges in court.
According to Armenia’s Investigative Committee, the preliminary probe conducted by the General Department for High-Profile and Electoral Crimes uncovered evidence suggesting that Mikael Ajapahyan, in an interview with a media outlet, stated that he had repeatedly suggested to Armenia's two former presidents that they orchestrate a military coup using like-minded generals within the army, police, and national security services.
The committee asserts that Ajapahyan made public calls for the violent overthrow of constitutional order and seizure of power, using mass media as the platform.
Ajapahyan now faces public prosecution under Article 422, Part 2 of the Armenian Criminal Code, which penalizes public calls for the usurpation of power, violation of territorial integrity, renunciation of sovereignty, or violent overthrow of constitutional order.
Detention was imposed as a preventive measure.
The case has been sent to the supervising prosecutor with a motion to confirm the charges and forward it to court for trial.
On the morning of June 27, about 30 masked individuals stormed the Shirak Diocese administrative building. Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan was at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for a clergy assembly. He later appeared at the Investigative Committee and was placed in two-month pre-trial detention by court order. He is charged with making public calls for power usurpation, violation of territorial integrity, renouncing sovereignty, or violent overthrow of the constitutional order.
