U.S. Congressman Brad Sherman has voiced concern over recent developments in Armenia, according to a statement he posted on X.

He said he has conveyed his concerns directly to Armenian Ambassador Lilit Makunts.

“As Vice Chair of the Congressional Armenian Caucus, I am deeply troubled by the recent arrests of Armenian dissidents, including Mr. Samvel Karapetyan and clergy from the Armenian Church.

Our relationship with Armenia is built upon our shared commitment to democracy. I shared these concerns earlier today with Armenia’s Ambassador Lilit Makunts,” he wrote.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan recently stated that the Armenian Apostolic Church should have a newly elected Catholicos. He urged followers of the Church to unite “in the spirit of love and Christianity to free the Catholicosate and elect a truly sacred spiritual leader as Catholicos of All Armenians.”

On June 18, Samvel Karapetyan was remanded in custody for two months and transferred to the Armavir penitentiary, charged with making public calls aimed at usurping government powers. Hours earlier, he had voiced public support for the Armenian Apostolic Church, stating: “I stand with our Church and our people. No matter how much they try to discredit us, I don’t care about their networks or their energy systems. Everything will be fine, the people will speak, and they will realize they were wrong.”