Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, head of the Diocese of Shirak, has recently undergone surgery at Izmirlian Medical Center, according to the hospital’s public relations officer Anna Demirchyan, Sputnik Armenia reports.

“At the moment, I can’t provide information about his condition since I haven’t yet spoken with the doctor. An update will be released later,” she said.

The surgery had been postponed on December 25 due to high blood sugar levels.

Archbishop Ajapahyan was transferred to the medical center from prison after his health deteriorated. A criminal case has been launched against him under articles of the Criminal Code of Armenia relating to public calls for the usurpation of power, violation of territorial integrity, renunciation of sovereignty, or violent overthrow of the constitutional order.

He was arrested on June 28, and on October 3, the Court of First Instance, presided over by Judge Armine Meliksetyan, found him guilty and sentenced him to two years in prison.

His defense team appealed the verdict on November 13, demanding a full acquittal and a new judicial decision recognizing Mikael (Gevorg) Artashes Ajapahyan’s innocence. The appellate hearing, initially set for December 15, was postponed and is now scheduled for January 13, 2026.