A two-year prison sentence has been handed down to Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, leader of the Shirak Diocese, in a case widely viewed as politically motivated. The verdict was issued on October 3 amid ongoing concerns about judicial independence.
The Holy Etchmiadzin Mother See has condemned the ruling, describing it as a targeted act of retaliation and a violation of fundamental rights. In an official statement, the religious institution asserted that the prosecution forms part of a broader campaign against the church and represents a serious infringement on freedom of expression.
The Mother See has declared its intention to pursue all available legal avenues, including international mechanisms, to challenge what it characterizes as an unjust verdict and secure the restoration of the archbishop’s rights.
