A gathering of citizens was recorded during the implementation of the decision to detain Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian from the territory of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the National Security Service (NSS) of Armenia noted in a statement.

“The National Security Service and the Police of the Republic of Armenia [(RA)], based on security considerations and preventing a possible and deliberate escalation of the situation, have decided to pull out from the territory of the Mother See.

The RA National Security Service urges all citizens to refrain from escalating the situation, not to obstruct the implementation of legal decisions of law enforcement bodies [of Armenia]. We call on Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian (Gevorg Ajapahyan of Artashes) not to hide from law enforcement bodies and to present himself to the National Security Service task force waiting for him.

The NSS continues to carry out its functions prescribed by law—ensuring the maintenance of public order and security. Cases of obstructing the lawful actions of law enforcement bodies will be subject to legal assessment,” added the aforesaid statement.

The situation at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin has been tense since the morning, as the NSS went there to detain Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian, the Primate of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church. But the people who have assembled there do not allow him to be taken into custody.

Earlier, 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 had informed.