7-8 Hours Without Any Investigative Actions: Fatherparen Kahana Arakelyan

Fatherparen Kahana Arakelyan, the spiritual leader of Sahmasavank, has exited the Investigative Committee. Speaking to reporters, he stated that no investigative actions were taken with him during the past 7-8 hours and that he has been released.

Fatherparen indicated that, according to his information, he holds the status of a witness.

It is notable that law enforcement has been conducting investigative operations from early morning at the headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church in the Aragatsotn Diocese. The Investigative Committee initiated the proceedings based on a report from the 'Informed Citizens Union' NGO, which relates to a statement by Father Aram Kahana Asatryan, the spiritual leader of Hovhannavank, aired on Public Television. The priest stated that he participated in the opposition protests of 2021 not of his own volition but at the behest of superiors. Considering that being compelled to participate in a rally constitutes an act specified under the Criminal Code, the Informed Citizens Union requested an investigation into the matter.

The Investigative Committee has reported that cases have been uncovered involving coercion to participate in gatherings, obstructing the exercise of electoral rights, and embezzlement of entrusted property in significant amounts.