The continued pretrial detention of Archbishops Mikael and Bagrat has drawn criticism from 22 representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the diaspora, who issued a statement condemning the move as deeply distressing.
The statement highlights their concern following the August 15 court hearing, during which all motions filed by Archbishop Mikael’s defense team were denied. These included requests to replace the pretrial detention with alternative measures, to move the case to the first-instance court of Shirak Province, and to terminate the criminal proceedings.
The clerics emphasized that such prolonged detention of two high-ranking clergy members is unprecedented and painful both for the Church and the faithful.
“We believe that pretrial detention can be replaced with other non-custodial measures until a fair court ruling is rendered. Being well-acquainted with the life paths of our two spiritual brothers, we are confident that they would not interfere with the investigation or trial if released,” the statement said.
The diaspora leaders expressed hope that the legal proceedings would remain transparent and uphold the rule of law, with equal guarantees for all parties involved.
On the night of June 26, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan was arrested as part of what authorities refer to as a “coup attempt” case.
On June 27, special forces from Armenia’s National Security Service entered the grounds of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in an attempt to arrest Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan of the Shirak Diocese. He later turned himself in to the Investigative Committee and was arrested on June 28. He faces charges including public calls for the overthrow of constitutional order, breach of territorial integrity, and renunciation of state sovereignty.
