Armenian Investigative Committee says it has no plans to conduct searches in Etchmiadzin

The Investigative Committee has stated that it does not plan to carry out any investigative actions at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the spiritual centre of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

The Committee responded to speculation about possible law enforcement inspections by saying, “There is no such thing.”

The rumours emerged amid heightened tensions between the Armenian government and the Armenian Apostolic Church, fueled by a June 27, incident where National Security Service (NSS) officers attempted to detain Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, head of the Shirak Diocese, at Etchmiadzin on charges of inciting government overthrow. The operation led to clashes between law enforcement, clergy, and worshippers, prompting condemnation from the Mother See as a “day of national disgrace.”

The controversy was further intensified by Armenian hieromonk Asoghik Karapetyan’s public curse on July 9 against any attempts to invade Etchmiadzin, reflecting fears of further government actions against the Church.

By Khagan Isayev