The trial of Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan has entered its final phase, with the court concluding the main hearings and moving on to closing statements. The next session is scheduled for August 28, to be held outside regular working hours.
Presiding Judge Armine Meliksetyan denied a motion filed by defense attorney Yerem Sargsyan, which sought to declare inadmissible the record of a search conducted at the Shirak Diocese. Meanwhile, the diary found on the archbishop’s computer has been deemed admissible evidence by the court.
The proceedings began just ten days ago, on August 15, and the court has already concluded the main hearing phase. Prosecutors requested time to prepare their final statements, prompting the scheduling of the next session for August 28.
During the session, both prosecution and defense agreed to proceed after working hours in order to deliver their closing arguments on the same day. The hearing will take place at 14:30 on August 28.
On June 27, officers from the National Security Service entered the courtyard of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin in an attempt to detain Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, head of the Shirak Diocese, but later withdrew. Ajapahyan subsequently presented himself to the Investigative Committee. He was arrested on June 28 and charged with “publicly calling for the usurpation of power, violation of territorial integrity, renunciation of sovereignty, or the violent overthrow of constitutional order.”
