Applications Regarding Violations at Hovhanavank Denied

In October, applications submitted to investigative bodies regarding violations that occurred during the "liturgy" organized by the authorities at Hovhanavank were denied, and appeals have yet to receive a response. This was reported to Sputnik by attorney Ara Zohrapyan.

“Regarding Hovhanavank, we submitted a report to the Prosecutor General, requesting the initiation of criminal liability against Nikol Pashinyan and other officials. The grounds are as follows: we believe that, according to Article 209 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia, the performance of religious rites was obstructed in Hovhanavank due to the powers of the authorities or public officials, which qualifies the crime in a more serious manner. We think that the actions of the Prime Minister, the police, investigators, as well as Stepan Asatryan and other political figures have obstructed the activities of the Armenian Apostolic Church. We also considered that there is a criminal element of failing to properly fulfill official duties, and we raised that issue as well. However, the investigative body did not initiate a criminal proceeding. We appealed to the prosecutor, and then to the court. Our appeal is still pending in court, and we have no response yet,” said the attorney.

Earlier, the defrocked priest of Hovhanavank, Father Aram Asatryan, conducted a liturgy on October 26.