Arrested Armenian bishops announce one-day hunger strike on Constitution Day

Archbishops Bagrat Galstanyan and Mikael Ajapahian have declared their intention to undertake a one-day hunger strike on July 5, coinciding with Armenia’s Constitution Day, as a protest against what they describe as an anti-constitutional process targeting them.

“We are announcing a one-day hunger strike on July 5 to mark Constitution Day and to condemn the unconstitutional actions being taken against us,” Archbishop Ajapahian stated Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian mediaş

The archbishops were detained following a series of extensive searches and arrests on June 25. According to the Investigative Committee, these measures were part of an operation that successfully thwarted an attempted armed seizure of power. Archbishop Galstanyan, along with several supporters, faces charges including preparing terrorist acts, inciting mass unrest, and attempting to usurp power. Separately, Ajapahian was charged with incitement aimed at seizing power and undermining state sovereignty. He was formally arrested on June 29 and remanded into custody for a two-month period. 

By Vafa Guliyeva