The Court of Appeals has revised the pretrial measure against Bishop Mikael, head of the Shirak Diocese, granting a motion filed by his defense team and replacing his detention with house arrest, Sputnik Armenia reports.

“House arrest with a prohibition on leaving the premises, receiving guests, making phone calls, sending letters, and so on. These restrictions do not apply to close relatives, defense attorneys, one member of the Shirak Diocese clergy, and one administrative staff member,” the court decision states.

Bishop Mikael’s legal team also announced that a complaint has been submitted to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on his behalf, citing violations of rights protected under the European Convention on Human Rights.

The complaint raises allegations related to unlawful detention (Article 5), violation of freedom of expression (Article 10), and politically motivated deprivation of liberty and prosecution (Article 18).

Criminal proceedings were initiated against Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan under charges of making public calls to overthrow constitutional order, renounce sovereignty, or violate territorial integrity. He was arrested on June 28. On October 3, Judge Armine Meliksetyan of the Court of First Instance found him guilty and sentenced him to two years in prison.