The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has announced repression and illegal criminal prosecution of clergy

YEREVAN, October 15. /ARKA/. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has announced the illegal criminal prosecution of clergy as yet another manifestation of the systematic anti-church campaign by the Armenian authorities.

A statement from the Armenian Apostolic Church press office noted that searches were conducted at dawn on October 15 at the residence of the Aragatsotn Diocese, as well as the homes of the primate, clergy, and diocesan staff. According to available information, in addition to the Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, 12 other clergymen (Paren Arakelyan, Hayk Kocharyan, Mkrtich Yeranyan, Manuk Zeynalyan, Ghevond Gapoyan, Hayk Sahakyan, Sarkis Sargsyan, Garegin Arsenyan, Narek Sargsyan, Oshin Hayrapetyan, Vrtanes Baghalyan, and Hambardzum Danielyan) have been detained, as well as the diocese's accountant, treasurer, and assistant. Etchmiadzin stated that six of the detained clergymen were arrested with grave violations of the law and were denied access to legal assistance.

"Such outrageous actions clearly demonstrate a malicious intent to hinder the normal functioning of the Church, undermine its authority, and sow an atmosphere of fear and anxiety among the clergy, faithful, and the entire society. Through such repression, characteristic of totalitarian systems, the Armenian authorities grossly violate the right to freedom of religion and insult the religious feelings of believers," Etchmiadzin stated.

The Mother See calls on the clergy and faithful not to succumb to provocations and to stand firm in defense of the Church.