The Investigative Committee of Armenia has explained in connection with what case several clergymen were brought to the Committee.

“Procedural and evidentiary actions necessary for the investigation are being carried out within the framework of the criminal case initiated regarding the use of official or service powers—or the influence derived from them—to obstruct or compel the holding of a gathering or participation in it, as well as to materially incentivize participation in or refusal to participate in the gathering,” said the Investigative Committee of Armenia.

Lawyer Marine Farmanyan told Armenian News-NEWS.am that from the search decisions, it became clear that Daniel Ioannisyan filed a report based on an interview given by Father Aram, to check whether there had been coercion to attend the gatherings. According to the lawyer, the aforesaid clergymen were detained within the framework of this case.

Earlier, we reported that five clergymen—Fathers Paren, Manuk, Hayk, Mkrtich, and Ghevond—along with several civilians, were taken to the Yerevan Investigative Department.

In turn, Father Yesayi Artenyan, Director of the Information Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, had told Armenian News-NEWS.am that Father Mkrtich’s whereabouts were unknown and authorities were trying to determine his location.

Earlier, we also reported that the home of Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, Primate of the Diocese of Aragatsotn of the Armenian Apostolic Church, was searched last night, after which he was taken to the Investigative Committee of Armenia. The primate of the Diocese of Aragatsotn is the nephew of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II.