Responding to a video circulating online allegedly linked to his private life, Archishop Arshak issued a public statement, saying he would not engage in refuting fabricated slanders and instead found it reasonable to ignore them. The statement was published by journalist Lia Sargsyan on her Facebook page.
He also denied reports claiming he had demanded the resignation of the Catholicos of All Armenians.
“I learned that videos with inappropriate content are being circulated online and are being falsely linked to me and my family. Simultaneously, a slanderous media outlet, claiming to be a legitimate news source, has fabricated a story suggesting I demanded the resignation of the Catholicos.
Given the vocabulary and preferences of the notorious leader of the ruling political force, I find it quite natural that media serving his interests have no choice but to spread perversions and slander no less depraved than the infamous “The Other Side of the Country” book.
Many have advised me to respond and issue a denial. I want to note that I simply cannot commit myself, seriously and with full effort, to rebutting fabrications and defamation. I consider it more sensible to ignore it. Therefore, I publicly direct my disdain and ridicule to those concerned. I suggest they publish these videos in the Haykakan Zhamanak daily and post them on the pages of Civil Contract’s most sexually obsessed representatives as vivid evidence of their preferences.
It is absurd that amid dangerous developments around the country, growing crime, and deepening social division, the ruling party’s propaganda machine is preoccupied with such clownish distractions, undoubtedly guided by illegal directives from the executive leadership, including those issued publicly.
I am convinced that this known approach by the authorities—weakening the Church, discrediting clergy, sowing division, and intimidating people—will lead nowhere. Save your energy, ladies and gentlemen; you’ll need it when the time of accountability comes, and the ‘other sides of your faces’ are fully exposed,” the Archbishop wrote.
Meanwhile, Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan has called such ongoing and mass violations of privacy and personal data protection unacceptable, stressing that the state is not doing enough to prevent them. The video in question allegedly involves Archbishop Arshak and pertains to his private life.
