Archbishop Mikael will now go with our lawyer. Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II told this to reporters in the courtyard of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin—and regarding Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian, the Primate of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

“We are going to the Veharan [i.e. the residence and workplace of the Catholicos of All Armenians], there we will hold our discussions and make our final decision on our future courses of action. It is certain that we will all make every effort, work so that justice is served for our church, our clergy, our priests, bishops and the country, naturally,” said the Catholicos.

To the remark that after the primate of the Shirak Diocese, the NSS may come after him, Karekin II responded: “We will go, too.”

After that, he hugged Archbishop Ajapahian.

The gathered citizens called on the primate of the Shirak Diocese not to go with the NSS officers.

Before that, Archbishop Ajapahian had announced that the NSS officers had come after him and he will go with them, and will not hide behind his friends.

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.