The press service of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin issued a statement announcing that Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, currently at the Catholicosate, will appear before the Investigative Committee, although he has not been duly summoned.

The statement strongly condemns the conduct of law enforcement officers and the use of force against citizens, calling it unacceptable and reprehensible.

“On the morning of June 27, Armenian law enforcement officers entered the grounds of the Mother See and the Catholicosate, attempting to detain Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan of the Shirak Diocese, who was at the Mother See coordinating the annual clergy assembly.

Although the Archbishop had expressed readiness to go to the Investigative Committee and attempted to get into a vehicle with the officers, citizens and clergy present raised objections upon seeing a large influx of masked National Security Service and police personnel.

The conduct and use of force by law enforcement in the spiritual center of all Armenians is unacceptable and condemnable.

Despite not receiving a proper official summons, Archbishop Mikael has decided to comply and will travel to Yerevan to appear before the Investigative Committee. The Mother See urges the public not to succumb to provocations, to remain vigilant, and to continue their support through all legal means,” the statement concludes.

Earlier that day, around 30 masked individuals stormed the Shirak Diocese. Archbishop Ajapahyan was at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for a scheduled clergy gathering. The National Security Service entered the premises to arrest him. Although he had agreed to go with law enforcement, following a scuffle, he left with the Catholicos for the Catholicosate.

Ajapahyan faces criminal charges for “publicly calling for the seizure of power, violation of territorial integrity, renunciation of sovereignty, or the violent overthrow of the constitutional order.”