A short while ago, Armenian police troops entered Vagharshapat (Ejmiatsin) city.

Two buses were brought in, which, apparently, are waiting for instructions.

And the situation in the courtyard of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin is still tense.

The people who have assembled there did not allow the law enforcement officers to take away Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian, the Primate of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

The special police forces also have arrived here.

The citizens gathered near the Mother See are calling on everyone to assemble in the courtyard of Holy Etchmiadzin and stand in defense of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

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.