The Investigative Committee of Armenia has issued a statement in response to reports of clergy from the Aragatsotn Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church being detained. The committee said that procedural and evidentiary actions are being carried out as part of a criminal investigation into the alleged use of influence or authority to obstruct or coerce participation in public gatherings, or to offer material incentives for participation or non-participation.
Further details will be provided later, the Committee said.
According to lawyer Marine Farmanyan, nearly all clergy and staff of the Aragatsotn Diocese are currently at the Investigative Committee as witnesses, not suspects. She added that the case was opened following statements made by Father Aram, who claimed he had been forced to participate in rallies. A report was filed by Daniel Ioannisyan, founder of the Union of Informed Citizens NGO.
Asked whether diocesan leader Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan is implicated, Farmanyan replied that his status would become clear once he is located and questioned.
Daniel Ioannisyan has not yet responded to media inquiries.
Earlier, lawyer Ara Zohrabyan stated that six clergy members from the Aragatsotn Diocese had been detained, including Bishop Proshyan, and priests Father Paren, Father Manuk, Father Hayk, Father Ghevond, and Father Mkrtich, along with several lay employees of the diocese.
The Mother See had also confirmed the arrest of several Aragatsotn Diocese clergy and noted that law enforcement had searched Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan’s residence.
