Court to rule on punishment of Armenian archbishop accused of anti-government calls

The Armenian Court of First Instance, presided over by Judge Armine Meliksetyan, has found Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan guilty and will continue proceedings to determine the circumstances and sentencing in the case.

According to Caliber.Az, citing Armenian media, the defence team reported that during additional hearings, the court — with the participation of the parties — will examine issues related to aggravating and mitigating circumstances, as well as the type and severity of punishment to be imposed.

Once these matters are discussed, the court is expected to retire to the deliberation room to deliver its final verdict. The next hearing has been scheduled for today, September 29, at 15:30.

Ajapakhyan has been prosecuted under Article 422, Part 2 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, which concerns public calls for the violent overthrow of the constitutional order.

The archbishop was arrested on June 28 and placed in pre-trial detention for two months. The case was subsequently forwarded to the prosecutor with an indictment for further consideration in court.

Tensions between the authorities and the Church escalated after Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan issued harsh statements on social media criticising senior clergy. The prime minister later proposed changing the procedure for electing the Catholicos of All Armenians, suggesting that the state should have a decisive role in the process.

By Tamilla Hasanova