MP Garnik Danielyan from the Hayastan faction told reporters that Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan is in urgent need of surgery.

“This is a very sensitive matter and must be resolved as soon as possible. Conditions must be created so that the Archbishop undergoes surgery under the direct supervision and participation of his own doctor,” he said, as reported by Auroranews.am.

Danielyan noted that the meeting held at the Human Rights Protection Committee was organized at his initiative and included representatives from healthcare and human rights institutions.

He said the discussion focused on the 23 deaths recorded in penitentiary institutions over the past year, a number he believes requires serious examination and appropriate solutions.

“It is at my request that this discussion is taking place today, with the Human Rights Defender participating. The Minister of Health is not here, but a representative of the relevant state institution and the head of the penitentiary service are present,” he stated.

According to him, only eight of the recorded deaths were due to self-harm, and all cases must be thoroughly investigated to understand their real causes.

“This is a horrifying figure,” he added, stressing that the issues raised demand a clear response.

Danielyan again addressed Archbishop Mikael’s condition, emphasizing that the matter has become urgent.

“For the first time, I am drawing your attention to Archbishop Mikael’s case. He needs immediate surgery. I raised this issue during the committee session. I fear that, God forbid, the 24th death could be the Archbishop,” Danielyan warned, calling for urgent measures.

Responding to these statements, Minister of Justice Srbuhi Galyan told reporters that she has instructed a lawyer to meet Ajapahyan and obtain the necessary application from him, Radar Armenia reported.

“There is no and cannot be any bureaucratic delay when it comes to a person’s health. The individual simply needs to submit an application, after which it will be reviewed, and the necessary measures for his medical care will be taken.

The required application has not been submitted. I have instructed that if his lawyers do not know how to file it, our lawyer will approach him today, take the application, and submit it to the relevant institution,” she said.

Addressing the claims of needing immediate surgery, she stated that no critical health condition has been officially recorded at this time.

“When the application is submitted, the necessary procedures will be activated, and the individual will receive the medical care he needs,” she said.

She also emphasized that the health of any person deprived of liberty is under state protection.

Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan was charged with making public calls aimed at overthrowing the constitutional order, violating territorial integrity, or renouncing sovereignty. He was arrested on June 28.

On October 3, Judge Armine Meliksetyan of the First Instance Court announced the ruling, according to which Archbishop Mikael was found guilty and sentenced to two years in prison.