Yerevan court extends detention of Archbishop Mikayel for another month

The detention of Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian, Primate of the Diocese of Shirak of the Armenian Apostolic Church, has been extended by a month, a Yerevan court has ruled.

Judge Armine Meliksetyan of Yerevan’s general criminal court granted the extension on September 2, following a request from the prosecutor, Caliber.Az reports via foreign media.

Archbishop Mikael is accused of publicly calling for the overthrow of the government.

“Extend the detention of Archbishop Mikael for another month,” the judge ordered, citing a risk that he could repeat the alleged offence. The next hearing is scheduled for September 15.

During the hearing, Archbishop Mikael addressed the court directly, saying his intellect was being subjected to torture by the prosecution.

“When the prosecution speaks, my intellect suffers. I beg you to save me from this. Sentence me to life imprisonment and bring the matter to an end,” he said.

By Aghakazim Guliyev