Attorney Marine Farmanyan told reporters near the Investigative Committee that the number of clergy members detained from the Aragatsotn Diocese has increased. She said that six priests are currently at the Investigative Committee and, based on preliminary information, they are being treated as witnesses. Father Hambardzum Danielyan is also now being transported to the IC, according to Sputnik Armenia.
“There is no information about two other priests, Father Narek Sargsyan and Sargis Sargsyan. They have been detained, but their whereabouts are unknown. They might be brought to the IC, but for now, we have no data,” Farmanyan said.
She also added that the location of Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, head of the Aragatsotn Diocese, is still unknown.
In the early morning of October 15, law enforcement officers detained several clergy from the Aragatsotn Diocese, including Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan. The Investigative Committee stated that the arrests were carried out as part of a criminal case related to alleged coercion or obstruction of participation in an assembly.
Earlier, lawyer Ara Zohrabyan had reported the detention of six clergy members: Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan and Father Paren, Father Manuk, Father Hayk, Father Ghevond. The Investigative Committee confirmed the detentions and explained that investigative and evidentiary actions were being conducted as part of the case.
Later, the Union of Informed Citizens released a statement clarifying that it had requested an investigation into Father Aram’s claim that clergy were forced to participate in the assembly.
