Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan commented on the latest events in Echmiadzin. It is reported by “Armenpress” with reference to the page of the head of government on Facebook.
“It became obvious who provokes clashes in the pioneers. Seeing that law enforcement officers were not lended to provocations, they resorted to fist battles among themselves. There will be no clashes! The faithful flock of the Armenian Holy Church will free his shrine – the fonderent holy echmiadzin.”
On Friday, June 27, special forces from the Armenian National Security Service in masks entered the territory of the residence of the head of the Armenian Church of Garegin II in Echmiadzin. This was reported by the Armenian media.
“All the clergy of Armenia is ready for arrest. We are all in the pioneers of Echmiadzin,” wrote the Hieromonk Asogik Karapetyan in social networks.
The media also reported searches in the Shirak diocese in Gyumri.
The situation in Echmiadzin is “extremely tense”, the Armenian media write.
Catholicos of all Armenians Garen II told citizens and priests gathered in Echmiadzin that the highest clergy would decide on further actions.
As reported, in Echmiadzin there was a brawl between police and clergymen.
According to information, representatives of the clergy did not allow the security forces to enter the residence of the Catholicos.
The head of the Shirak diocese, Archbishop Michael Ajapakhyan, accused of calling for the seizure of power, decided to voluntarily appear in the Investigative Committee of Armenia.
“Gathered at the residence of Garegin II in Echmiadzin blocked the passage of a car on which Ajapakhyan was going to go to the UK.
It is reported that Ajapakhyan left the residence of the Catholicos of Armenia and went to Yerevan, accompanied by believers. Yerevan is about 20 km from Echmiadzin.
It was previously reported that the Armenian security forces gave the Archbishop two hours to voluntarily come to them. He is charged with public calls for violent seizure of power.
Armenia’s National Security and Enterprise reported that they continue to perform the functions assigned to it to maintain public order and security. It is also emphasized that the obstruction of the legal actions of law enforcement agencies will be subject to legal assessment.
On June 25, the Investigative Committee of Armenia announced the preparation of terrorist attacks in order to seize power in Armenia by members of the opposition “sacred struggle”. In the houses of the leader of the movement of Archbishop Bagrat Bagrat Bagrata and his supporters, large -scale searches were held. In the evening of the same day, the court arrested them.