Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sees Republicans everywhere, Republican Party of Armenia deputy chairman Armen Ashotyan said, commenting on Pashinyan’s statement that some of those who caused a disturbance at St. Anna Church were from the Republican Party, while others were from the Sasna Tsrer movement.

“Nikol sees Republicans everywhere, and rightly so... Until you kneel and apologize to the entire Armenian people, you will be haunted both by Republican shadows and by the souls of the boys killed because of you, as well as by the entire Armenian people. And that persecution is not only physical, but above all psychological. That is why you see Republicans everywhere,” Ashotyan said.

He also referred to the meaning of Palm Sunday, saying it implies solidarity and forgiveness, which are deserved by people who have repented for the mistakes they committed.

“In reality, the entire Armenian people hate him, and I am glad that you identify my party with the whole people. Because the Republican belongs to the people, and the people hate you,” Ashotyan said.

On March 29, an incident was recorded during the liturgy at St. Anna Church in Yerevan. As the prime minister was leaving and passing through a densely packed crowd, one of the people told a bodyguard clearing the way, “don’t look at me like that.” One of those gathered also tried from the back of the line to strike in Pashinyan’s direction. Nikol Pashinyan instructed his bodyguards to remain calm. The detentions took place in the church courtyard.

After the incident, while walking with his teammates, Pashinyan, referring to what had happened in the church, said that some of those making noise were members of the Republican Party, while the others were from the Sasna Tsrer movement