The Chancellor of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Father Garegin Kahana Arsenyan, Released from Prison

The Chancellor of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Father Garegin Kahana Arsenyan, has been released from the correctional facility. His detention measure has been changed to house arrest.

Recall that on the early morning of October 15, law enforcement authorities conducted a search at the residence of the Aragatsotn Diocese leader, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, and subsequently took him into custody. In addition to the bishop, 12 priests and staff members of the diocese were also detained.

Later, the Investigative Committee reported that three individuals had been arrested, one of whom is the diocese leader. Criminal proceedings have been initiated against him based on two articles of the Criminal Code: obstructing the exercise of electoral rights using his official position and coercing participation in gatherings by using state or official powers.

The criminal case was opened based on statements made by Priest Aram Asatryan of the Aragatsotn Diocese during a broadcast on Public Television, in which he stated that the diocese leader had compelled him and other priests to participate in opposition protests in 2021. Daniel Ioannisyan, the president of the NGO 'Informed Citizens Union,' had addressed the Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia, drawing attention to the priest's statements.