A short while ago, the situation at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin became even tenser.

Now, the officers from the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia are shoving not only clergy, but also members of the media.

As reported earlier, a large number of masked officers from the NSS have gathered at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. They have come to detain Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian, the Primate of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Outside seat of the Shirak Diocese, Lawyer Ara Zohrabyan had read out the decision of an Investigative Committee investigator to take Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian into custody. He had emphasized that the reason cited was the words of Archbishop Ajapahian during an interview given on February 3, 2024, allegedly making public calls aimed at seizing power and forcibly overthrowing the constitutional order in Armenia. Zohrabyan had added that the Investigative Committee will request that Ajapahian be arrested.

This morning, about 30 masked individuals broke into the seat of the Shirak Diocese.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated against Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian.

“On June 17, 2025, criminal proceedings were initiated under Section 2 of Article 422 of the Criminal Code (public calls aimed at seizing power, violating territorial integrity, renouncing sovereignty, or forcibly overthrowing the constitutional order),” the Prosecutor General’s Office informed.