Attempted attack on Armenian PM leads to arrests in Yerevan

Three people have been detained in Armenia in connection with an incident involving Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, authorities said.

According to Armenian media cited by Caliber.Az, Interior Ministry spokesperson Narek Sargsyan said the individuals were detained on suspicion of hooliganism and interfering with the lawful official and political activities of a public official.

“Following today’s incident, officers of the Interior Ministry’s police detained three individuals on suspicion of hooliganism and interference with the lawful official and political activities of an official,” she said.

The incident took place on March 29 during a church service at Saint Anna Church in Yerevan. Pashinyan had been attending a liturgy marking Palm Sunday (Tsakhkazard) together with his associates.

As the prime minister was leaving the church through a crowd of worshippers, one individual expressed dissatisfaction and sharply addressed the security personnel, demanding that they not look at him.

At that moment, another person attempted to strike the prime minister, but security officers intervened and prevented the attempt. Bodyguards pushed back the young man who tried to approach Pashinyan, which led to discontent among some of those present.

During the incident, Pashinyan called on people to calm down.

By Tamilla Hasanova