Chairman of the Investigative Committee on Events at Hovhannisyan

The Chairman of the Investigative Committee, Arthur Poghosyan, stated in a conversation with reporters that law enforcement agencies received a report of a crime in connection with the events at Hovhannisyan. He noted that the report was submitted not by representatives of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, but by lawyers.

"As far as I am aware, the report of the crime has been received, but not from the Mother See. It has been processed in accordance with the law," Poghosyan stated.

He also emphasized that no criminal proceedings have been initiated at this stage: "At this moment, as far as I know, no proceedings have been opened," he added.

It should be recalled that the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin announced that the defrocked clergyman had "seized" Hovhannisyan and expressed hope that law enforcement agencies would ensure the monastery's return to the church.

In response to a reporter's question about whether allegations regarding the past of Bishop Ezras are being investigated, Arthur Poghosyan replied that in such cases, the Investigative Committee can only act upon receiving a report of a crime. "We do not conduct independent checks; such functions are reserved for operational-investigative bodies," he noted.