Armenian Court Finds Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan Guilty of Calls to Seize Power
Photo: Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan, head of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Photo by Valen1988, October 16, 2015. Licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0 .
On September 24, a Yerevan court found Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, head of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, guilty of “public calls to seize power in Armenia,” Orda.kz reports, citing The Caucasian Knot.
Ajapahyan was detained on June 27 after voluntarily appearing at the Investigative Committee and charged under Part 2 of Article 422 of the Criminal Code. He faces two to five years in prison. His arrest sparked clashes between security forces and parishioners.
The archbishop denies the charges, calling the case political persecution of the clergy.
His defense argues the accusations are based on a year-old interview where he spoke of the need for a coup —remarks prosecutors previously dismissed. Authorities now claim he repeated similar statements in June 2025.
His sentence will be announced on September 29.
Latest news
- Two Injured Russian Climbers Rescued From Almaty Mountains
- Kazakhstan Denies Reports of Full CPC Shutdown
- South Korea to Help Kazakhstan Forecast Demographic Change
- Almaty Waste Company Stake to Return to State After Undervalued Sale
- Inspection of Former Almaty Akim’s Family Project Declared Illegal
- Kazakhstan Could Refine Russian Oil as Russia Faces Fuel Shortages
- Who Is Behind the Company Searching for Copper Near Atbasar?
- Almaty Airport to Take Out $670 Million Loan
- Kazakhstani Woman Dies in Belgrade, Father Suspects Her Friends Were Involved
- Who Will Keep Health Coverage Under Kazakhstan’s New Rules?
- Fake Journalists Tricked Karaganda Official Into Taking Out Loan
- Pavel Durov Declared a “Terrorist” in Russia
- Lawsuit Pushes Oskemen Authorities to Adopt New Alert Rules After Kazzinc Explosion
- Emergency at Pavlodar Power Plant: Two Workers Seek Medical Help
- What Back-to-School Aid Has Been Promised to Vulnerable Families?
- Employment Falls at Kazakhstan’s Small and Medium Businesses
- How Much Will It Cost to Ride Astana’s LRT From August 1?
- KASE and AIX Record Sharp Rise in Trading Activity
- Ten-Year Record: More Kazakhstanis Are Losing Their Driver’s Licenses
- What Can Tourists Expect? Kazakhstan Approves New Rules for Visitor Centers
