Prosecution Outlines Grounds for Criminal Proceedings Against Mikayel Ajapahyann

The Armenian General Prosecutor's Office has released a statement outlining the grounds for initiating criminal proceedings against Mikayel (Georg) Ajapahyann. The basis for this public criminal prosecution decision, made on June 26, 2025, is linked to Ajapahyann's public calls for seizing power during interviews with representatives of mass media on June 21, 2025. In these interviews, he reiterated his remarks from a February 3, 2024, interview concerning the necessity of effecting a coup d'état and assuming power through non-constitutional means with the assistance of high-ranking military officials, framing the change of power by law enforcement agencies as a necessity.

These statements indicate that the calls made by Mikayel (Georg) Ajapahyann are not mere emotional or reckless remarks, but a conscious action that has occurred continuously and systematically, utilizing mass media and information and communication technologies. These declarations are contextualized within the findings regarding the apparent seizure of power and preparations for terrorism by the movement named 'Holy Struggle', for which Armenian law enforcement agencies have been conducting operational intelligence activities for a significant period.

Following the initiation of public criminal proceedings against active members of the aforementioned group, on June 21, 2025, Mikayel (Georg) Ajapahyann once again made public calls for seizing power and violently overthrowing the constitutional order through non-constitutional means in relation to the executive powers of Armenia. These two statements have become accessible to the broader public on the 'youtube.com' platform, having been viewed over 40,000 times.

Notably, in an interview with 'Gala TV' broadcast on February 3, 2024, shared across various media and social networks, Ajapahyann claimed: 'This is it, that's the respect assigned to me, who is listening to me now? If anyone did listen to me, revolution should have happened long ago. I know only three ways to change power, if you know a fourth, let me know. One is elections, apparently, or a coup, or a popular uprising. Is there anything else? There is no other option. All three are impossible, all of them are impossible subjectively, but objectively possible.'

He further added, 'So after six years of my activities, isn't it clear what I’m saying? How many times do I need to say openly that a military coup is necessary? I've said this during the days of war to the presidents: to Kocharian and Serge. I asked, good Mr. President Kocharian, you’ve been president for ten years, how can you not have any general devoted to you, either in the army, the police, or national security, to stand by your side and carry out a coup? If it's your own. Serge, you’ve been president for ten years, prime minister, and minister of defense; there's not a single general devoted to you, in either the police or national security, that would come out to the street and shout 'I have honor'? What was realpolitik about? Isn’t this realpolitik that change cannot happen through elections? Where have you gone for elections, where have you entered elections? It means that your goal is not to change it. Who knows better than you that this cannot be changed through elections...'

Then, in an interview published on June 21, 2025, on the 'News.am' news website, Ajapahyann responded to a journalist's question, saying: 'I have done well, I never called for seizing power. I called for a coup; that is not a call for seizure. I told the law enforcement agencies to save this country, save it from this madness, but they are not saving it; they are as guilty in this as anyone else. I did not call for seizing power; I said it must be done. It is still necessary to do so, very late, but still necessary. If the law enforcement agencies are simply holding onto their homes and are not thinking about this country, nor this Republic nor this people, let them continue holding on to their homes...'