Prosecutor's Office Calls to Refrain from Actions Disrupting the Normal Activities of the Mother See

The Office of the Prosecutor General of Armenia has identified publications regarding public calls made on Sunday, December 27, in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for organizing and conducting protests against the Catholicos of All Armenians. In some instances, these calls included derogatory language characteristic of hate speech.

While approaching civil rights related to the holding of gatherings that are not prohibited by law with respect, such expressions and formulations carry substantial risks of potential violence during such actions, breaches of public order, and other unlawful conduct.

Considering this circumstance, the Office of the Prosecutor General requires both the organizers of the action and potential participants to refrain from making and justifying public statements of such content, as well as from committing acts that may disrupt the normal functioning of the spiritual center and the clergy, violate the rights of citizens visiting St. Etchmiadzin, and offend their spiritual feelings, potentially leading to intergroup conflicts.

We warn that law enforcement agencies will take all necessary measures to stop and prevent such manifestations, and if such occurrences take place and have a criminal nature, all individuals involved will inevitably face criminal liability.