Illegal Wiretapping Involving High-Ranking Clergy is Unacceptable: Diocese of France

The clergy of the Diocese of France, led by the diocesan primate, considers the unlawful and excessive actions taken by law enforcement against the leader of the Aragatsotn Diocese, clergy members, and lay staff on October 15 and 16 to be concerning and unacceptable. This was stated in a message circulated by the diocese.

“Illegal wiretaps involving high-ranking clergy are particularly unacceptable, and even more so are the charges against His Holiness Karekin II related to these actions, the unjustified searches, and the decisions to detain His Grace Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan and Reverend Father Arsen Garagyan. It is clear that these events are a continuation of an anti-church campaign being waged by the authorities, which they are trying to justify as upholding legality, while simultaneously violating not only internationally enshrined rights but also all legal procedures and principles characteristic of moral and civilized societies.”

“Such unlawful actions not only undermine public trust in the law enforcement system of the Republic of Armenia but may also provoke intra-national conflict, both in Armenia and in the Diaspora.”

The clergy of the Diocese of France calls on all its believers not to fall for divisive provocations and to remain steadfast in their positions of national and spiritual unity. Remaining faithful to the Holy Etchmiadzin, we express our unwavering support to His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, during these turbulent times.

May the Almighty Lord's Holy Hand always be with and protect our homeland, strengthen the Armenian statehood, and illuminate His Church,” the statement reads.