Law Enforcement Opens Seven Wounds Church in Gyumri Amid Disputes Between Journalists and Citizens

This morning, law enforcement officials have opened the Seven Wounds Church in Gyumri, which had been sealed and closed last night with signatures of the clergy on paper. A mass service is set to take place shortly, attended by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The roads leading to the city's central Vardanants Square are closed, with a significant police presence surrounding the Seven Wounds Church.

Tensions have arisen in Gyumri, where a mass service is to be held at the Seven Wounds Church, leading to disputes between journalists and citizens as they attempted to enter the church.

Earlier today, the Prime Minister, the President of Armenia, and the Speaker of the National Assembly paid tribute to the victims of the December 7, 1988 earthquake in Spitak.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is also expected to visit Gyumri to participate in the mass at the Seven Wounds Church.

It is noteworthy that today marks December 7, the anniversary of the victims of the 1988 Spitak earthquake. 37 years ago, at exactly 11:41 AM, that earthquake claimed the lives of 25,000 people, leaving more than half a million homeless.