Tigran Abrahamyan, Secretary of the I Have Honor parliamentary faction, responded on Facebook to the detention of clergy from the Aragatsotn Diocese, calling it “another phase in the attacks on the Mother See” of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
“This morning, the authorities began arrests and searches targeting the Aragatsotn Diocese of the Armenian Church, during which six clergymen were detained, including the head of the Diocese,” Abrahamyan wrote.
He called the move part of a broader government assault on the Church, claiming it was a prelude to a major offensive against the Mother See, expected in October.
“The main person responsible for this attack is unquestionably Nikol Pashinyan, but the ruling party Civil Contract, certain individuals, and law enforcement agencies also share blame under the pretense of ‘neutrality’ and ‘not interfering in politics,’ they have opened the field for a disgraceful blow and denial of the Church,” he added.
Earlier, lawyer Ara Zohrabyan reported that six clergy from the Diocese had been detained: Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, Father Paren, Father Manuk, Father Hayk, Father Ghevond, and Father Mkrtich. The Investigative Committee confirmed the detentions, saying they are conducting procedural actions within a criminal case. Lawyer Marine Farmanyan noted that the case was launched after Father Aram alleged that he had been forced to attend public gatherings. The complaint was filed by Daniel Ioannisyan, founder of the Union of Informed Citizens NGO.
