Mikael Saint's Lawyer Challenges the Presiding Judge

During the second court hearing in the case of Mikael Archbishop Ajapahyan, the leader of the Shirak Diocese, the archbishop's defender, Yerem Sargsyan, filed a motion to recuse the presiding judge, Armine Meliksetyan.

The lawyer stated that throughout the court proceedings, they have witnessed a distinctly negative attitude towards the Archbishop of the Armenian Apostolic Church. He also inquired whether the judge is a follower of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Judge Armine Meliksetyan responded that she is not obligated to answer such questions.

According to the indictment, Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan has been charged with making public calls aimed at seizing power during interviews given to representatives of the media.

It is worth noting that three days ago, the first court session in this case took place at the Avan residence of the Yerevan first-instance general jurisdiction criminal court. Later, the detention period of Mikael Ajapahyan was extended by an additional ten days.