Armenian prosecutors unveil charges against archbishop

Armenia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has released new details in the case against Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian, head of the Shirak Diocese, accusing him of publicly calling for the unconstitutional overthrow of the government.

Ajapahian’s arrest is linked to comments he made during a June 21 press interview. In the interview, he reiterated earlier statements from February 2024, advocating for a coup and the unconstitutional removal of the current government with the assistance of high-ranking military officials and security forces, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

The Prosecutor’s Office emphasised that these statements were made deliberately and repeatedly, not as a result of carelessness or emotional reaction. This continued even after criminal cases were opened against activists from the revanchist movement associated with him.

Armenian media report that Ajapahian faces charges related to publicly inciting the overthrow of the government. He was detained on the evening of June 27, and a court ruling during the night of June 28 ordered his arrest for two months pending further investigation.

By Naila Huseynova