Armenian investigators question clergymen over anti-Pashinyan recording of Archbishop

Several clergymen in Armenia have been summoned for questioning in connection with a criminal case launched after the publication of a leaked phone conversation between Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan and former priest Aghan Yernjakyan.

According to lawyer Ara Zohrabyan, the case concerns the content of the recording involving Archbishop Hovhannisyan, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

“The clergymen have been summoned as witnesses at this stage. I can’t specify the exact number, but it’s more than eight,” Zohrabyan said.

The Investigative Committee has scheduled questioning sessions for today and tomorrow.

Media reports recall that in the leaked conversation, allegedly recorded in October 2023, Yernjakyan complained to the archbishop about the Catholicos, who had urged him and his mother to take part in anti-Pashinyan rallies.

Following the leak, the Prosecutor’s Office launched an inquiry, after which the Investigative Committee opened a criminal case under Article 236, Part 3 of Armenia’s Criminal Code — “obstruction or coercion to hold or participate in a gathering, as well as material encouragement of participation or refusal to participate in a gathering, through the use of official powers or influence.”

By Khagan Isayev