Security Services Withdraw After Failed Attempt to Detain Armenian Archbishop

Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) has withdrawn from the grounds of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin after a tense standoff during an attempt to detain Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, head of the Shirak Diocese, Orda.kz reports, citing NewsArmenia.

Resistance was reportedly encountered from clergy and parishioners at the scene. 

According to an official statement, security forces withdrew “in the interest of public safety” and to prevent “intentional escalation” of tensions at the Church’s spiritual headquarters. They called on citizens to refrain from escalating and not to obstruct, warning that any obstruction of lawful actions would “be given a legal assessment

They also urged Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian (Gevorg Ajapahyan of Artashes) not to hide from law enforcement bodies 

Later in the day, Archbishop Ajapahyan’s lawyer, Ara Zohrabyan, stated that the archbishop had agreed to appear voluntarily before the Investigative Committee.

The attempted detention occurred in the growing confrontation between state authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church. More recently, law enforcement agencies charged the “Holy Struggle” protest movement — led by Archbishop Bagrat — with attempting a coup d’état.

The church has become increasingly critical of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s government in recent months.