The accountant of the Aragatsotn Diocese, who was detained following searches at the diocesan offices on October 15, has been placed under house arrest as a pretrial measure, according to Kima Avdalyan, spokesperson for the Investigative Committee, as reported by Factor.am .
The accountant is charged under Article 256, Part 2, Point 3 of Armenia’s Criminal Code — embezzlement of entrusted property in large amounts.
Earlier, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, the diocesan primate, and the diocese’s administrative officer were arrested as part of the same criminal case.
Bishop Proshyan is the nephew of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. He faces charges under two articles — obstruction of electoral rights and coercion to participate in gatherings through abuse of official or service powers. He denies all charges.
His lawyer, Yerem Sargsyan, told Factor TV that Proshyan considers the charges “absurd” and views the case as part of an ongoing campaign against the Church. The bishop has refused to testify.
The Investigative Committee reported that more than 20 searches uncovered and seized documents deemed crucial to the case, as well as electronic storage devices, large sums of cash, significant quantities of gold and silver jewelry, numerous fuel coupons registered to commercial companies, and other items.
