I Did Not Deserve Such Treatment: Priest Shares Details on How the NSS Took Him into Custody

The Investigative Committee and NSS officers stormed the home of Father Hovhannes Badalyan in Bjrakan early in the morning. The clergyman described the incident to 24News, recounting the events of the past week.

“I was in my pajamas, it was 7 AM, and they did not allow me to change my clothes. They knocked on the door with a stick, creating an atmosphere of fear. They were searching for documents or weapons at home.

They confiscated the phones and storage devices of me, my wife, and our four children. My minor daughter was very scared, and my father, who has undergone major surgery, also became very anxious. They kept me at the Investigative Committee for 12 hours, not allowing me to speak with anyone, even to answer calls from my relatives. My health deteriorated, my blood pressure and sugar levels rose. Shortly thereafter, Father Garegin and Father Mkhitar were brought in for questioning. They referred to me as 'by the name of Vrtanes Baghalyan,'” shared Father Hovhannes.

“They confiscated the phones, did not provide receipts, and my children were left without phones; two of my children are students. Our family life has been disrupted. I have not encountered such inhumane treatment in 47 years. I have never allowed anyone to treat me disrespectfully. I voluntarily participated in the 44-day war and was a spiritual caretaker in the army; I am highly conscientious about my homeland, and I did not deserve such treatment,” the clergyman emphasized.

For more details, refer to the original source.