On November 13, Father Yeghishe Barseghyan and Father Mushe Vahanyan, priests from the Aragatsotn Diocese, were questioned by Armenia’s Investigative Committee as witnesses in a new criminal investigation. The news was confirmed by Father Mushe’s lawyer, Armine Fanyan, according to Sputnik Armenia.
Fanyan noted that the clergymen were treated with marked respect and were summoned as part of a criminal case concerning allegations of discrimination and coercion to attend public gatherings. She added that she couldn’t disclose further details due to a confidentiality notice received regarding the preliminary investigation.
According to Fanyan, only Fathers Mushe and Yeghishe were questioned on November 13, but around ten other clergy members have been notified, including Father Vrtanes Baghalyan and Father Zorayr Karapetyan.
Regarding the mood of the clergy, the lawyer said they remained resolute and determined.
On November 12, it became known that more than eight clergymen from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Aragatsotn Diocese were summoned for questioning. The summons relate to a leaked recording involving Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan and Abbot Aghan Yernjakyan. Lawyer Ara Zohrabyan later clarified that a new criminal case had been launched under Armenia’s Criminal Code article on discrimination. Authorities are also interested in information held by the Mother See about defrocked clerics Father Aram Asatryan and Father Tadeh Tahmazyan.
In October, pro-government media released a 2023 recording in which Abbot Yernjakyan, in conversation with Archbishop Natan—director of external relations at the Mother See—complained that the Catholicos was forcing clergy to attend anti-government rallies. Based on that recording, a criminal case was opened on October 17, 2023.
