Court of appeal session postponed in the case of Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan
The court session scheduled for the case of Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, Primate of the Shirak Diocese, did not take place. The reason was the absence of the public prosecutor. Presiding Judge Edgar Manasyan informed that the prosecutors stated they had not received notification regarding the date and time of the session, and consequently did not appear in court.
As a result, the examination of the appeal against the conviction of imprisonment for Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan has been postponed and rescheduled for January 13, 2026, at 15:00.
The defense had appealed the first instance court’s verdict, issued on October 3, back on November 13. With the appeal, the defenders demand that the judicial act be completely overturned and Mikael Ajapahyan be found innocent.
It was simultaneously noted that His Holiness Mikael is scheduled to be transferred to the “Izmirlian” Medical Center in the coming days, where his surgery is to be performed. Due to this circumstance, conducting the examination of the appeal during the current year is practically impossible, as it is currently unclear when he will be able to fully recover and continue participating in court sessions.
It should be recalled that criminal prosecution against Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan was initiated under the article concerning public calls aimed at seizing power, violating territorial integrity, renouncing sovereignty, or violently overthrowing the constitutional order. He was arrested on June 28.
On October 3, the First Instance Court of General Jurisdiction, presided over by Judge Armine Meliksetyan, found His Holiness Mikael guilty and sentenced him to two years of imprisonment.