Church condemns force used by law enforcement in Etchmiadzin

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on Friday issued a statement condemning the conduct of Armenian law enforcement officers. The full statement is provided below.

“On the morning of June 27, Armenian law enforcement officers entered the premises of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the Catholicosate Residence, attempting to arrest Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, Primate of the Shirak Diocese. The archbishop had arrived at the Mother See to coordinate the annual clergy assembly.

Even though Archbishop Mikayel had expressed his willingness to go to the Investigative Committee and was attempting to enter a vehicle with law enforcement representatives, the citizens and clergy present raised their voices in protest upon witnessing a large influx of masked officers from the National Security Service and the police.

The behavior exhibited by the law enforcement officers at the spiritual center of all Armenians, particularly the use of force against citizens, is deplorable and unacceptable.

Despite not being properly notified, Archbishop Mikayel has decided not to evade the presented demand and will travel to Yerevan to appear before the Investigative Committee.