Mother See Issues a Statement

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin strongly condemns the court's decision on June 28 regarding the arrest and imprisonment of the leader of the Shirak Diocese, Archbishop Michael Ajapahyan. This decision is a direct consequence of the anti-church policies and the rhetoric of hostility and hatred against clergy promoted by the Prime Minister and other high-ranking officials within the government. This is stated in the announcement issued by the Mother See.

The facts indicate that the court's decision was made under specific political guidance and pressure, rendering it baseless and unlawful. The actions taken against Archbishop Michael are nothing more than a classic example of political persecution and a manifestation of personal vendetta against someone who is recognized as a Christian and a child of the Armenian Church—especially someone who the day before instructed law enforcement agencies to surround the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, an unprecedented and reprehensible attack on the spiritual center of the Armenian people, the clergy, and the faithful.

We urge the judicial system and relevant authorities to operate within the framework of legality and to immediately release Archbishop Michael Ajapahyan.