Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is scheduled to visit Yerevan State University (YSU) for the opening of a new laboratory. The campus is currently under tight security, with police and security personnel stationed throughout.

YSU Rector Hovhannes Hovhannisyan, speaking to reporters, denied circulating claims that students were instructed in advance on what questions to ask the Prime Minister, Aysor.am reports.

“There’s no such thing—students are free to ask their own questions,” he stressed.

Though Hovhannisyan holds a degree from the Faculty of Theology, he declined to comment on recent tensions involving the Armenian Apostolic Church.

“I won’t be answering those questions. I have the right not to respond. I’m here not as a theologian, but as the rector of YSU,” he stated.

Prime Minister Pashinyan recently drew criticism from clergy after comparing churches to storage rooms during a government session. In response, he made several offensive remarks toward the clergy on Facebook, which were echoed by his wife, Anna Hakobyan.

Pashinyan has also asserted that the state should play a key role in the process of electing the Catholicos of All Armenians.