The Investigative Committee of Armenia has launched a new criminal case, stating that the attempted arrest of Bishop Mikael Ajapahyan, head of the Shirak Diocese, was obstructed.

During the pretrial investigation into an ongoing criminal proceeding at the General Department for Particularly Important Cases, authorities decided to initiate public prosecution against Ajapahyan under Article 422, Part 2 of Armenia’s Criminal Code.

He is accused of inciting the seizure of power and the violent overthrow of the constitutional order using mass media and digital communication technologies.

As a result, on June 27, 2025, a decision was made to detain the archbishop in order to file a motion with the court seeking his pretrial detention. The arrest was to be carried out by officers of the National Security Service (NSS).

However, according to the Investigative Committee, a group of citizens obstructed the legal actions of law enforcement during the arrest attempt. This has led to the launch of an additional criminal case on the grounds of obstructing justice.

The Committee warns that such interference “may result in criminal liability” and urges the public “to refrain from any form of lawbreaking.”

Earlier, it was announced that the NSS had decided to withdraw from the grounds of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

“The National Security Service urges all citizens to avoid escalating the situation and to not obstruct the lawful actions of law enforcement agencies. We call on Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan (Gevorg Artashes Ajapahyan) to not hide from authorities and to report to the NSS operational unit awaiting him,” the NSS statement reads.