Armenian Church accuses authorities of repression after 13 clerics detained

The Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) made a harsh statement accusing the Armenian authorities of persecution and repression after the detention of thirteen clergymen. Among the detainees was a high-ranking hierarch, the head of the Aragatsotn Diocese. The official reason for the detention, according to the investigation, was forcing citizens to participate in rallies.

The head of Aragatsotn Diocese Mkrtich Proshyan is among the detained representatives of clergy, Vzglyad daily reports. The spokesman for the Investigative Committee of Armenia confirmed that a case has been opened against the clergy on the fact of coercion to participate in meetings. It is specified that criminal prosecution has already been initiated against three of them.

In response to the actions of the authorities, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the spiritual center of AAC, published an official statement. It says that the authorities, applying “this kind of repression, characteristic of totalitarian systems”, grossly violate the right to freedom of religion and offend the religious feelings of believers. The Church believes that such actions contribute to further deepening of the split in society and “continue to sow hatred”.

The Spiritual Center also appealed to the clergy and believers not to give in to provocations and stand firmly in defense of the church. The statement emphasizes that “it is impossible to break the clergy and the believing people by intrigues, threats and repressions”.

Earlier we reported that the court in Yerevan sentenced the head of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan. He was found guilty of public calls to overthrow the constitutional order and sentenced to two years in prison.