Pashinyan Addresses the Recent Arrests of Clergy

I completely exclude, simply exclude, that these processes, which are taking place or are being announced, are in any way outside legal procedures or the framework of the law. I simply rule that out. This was stated by Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan during a briefing, in response to a question about whether legal actions are being conducted following Pashinyan's political statements.

“I do not have the authority to give instructions to everyone, and I would also say that I do not believe there are officials in Armenia ready to carry out illegal instructions. State institutions in Armenia operate within the framework of their powers and the rights assigned to them. Even if an order is given, who would take responsibility for the illegal actions of that order? There simply is no such thing,” Pashinyan noted.

He added, “There is a phenomenon in Armenia where it may turn out that the best way to avoid criminal liability is to engage in opposition political activity. I watched the news yesterday and learned that a report had been filed regarding a crime and there has been a response to that report. There is no criminal procedure without a report.”

It is noteworthy that Bishop Mkrtich has been detained for two months, with the court also limiting visits from other individuals, except for close relatives such as his mother.