YEREVAN. – Five new religious sects infiltrated into Armenia in the last six years, United Youth League (UYL) Co-President Sevak Hovhannisyan told reporters on Monday.   

Hovhannisyan stressed that the Jehovah’s Witnesses likewise have become more active in the country.

“They have begun to secretly distribute pamphlets where it is stated that education is a waste, [and] education should be received solely from the Jehovah’s Witnesses,” the UYL co-president added.       

In Hovhannisyan’s words, the Jehovah’s Witnesses are planning to hold a large gathering in Armenia on April 14, where they will discuss their subsequent actions against the Armenian government.

For his part, UYL Chief Coordinator Gor Nalbandyan pointed to several charitable organizations—including World Vision Armenia—which, in their view, provide funding to the religious sects and promote their activities in Armenia.  

“The [World Vision Armenia] organization collaborates with some Christian, Evangelical and Catholic and churches, and it operates in various regions of Armenia,” Nalbandyan added.     

In turn, Sevak Hovhannisyan highlighted the “Diaconia” Charitable Fund, whose leader met some time ago with Mayor Taron Margaryan of capital city Yerevan.

Photo by Arsen Sargsyan/NEWS.am