Criminal proceedings against the Primate and Chancellor of the Aragatsotn Diocese
The Investigative Committee has completed the preliminary investigation of the criminal proceedings involving the Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, H.P., and the Chancellor of the Diocese, A.A.
According to the investigative body, H.P., the Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, using his official powers in 2021—prior to the early elections of the 8th convocation of the National Assembly—instructed two or more clergymen during a meeting at the Diocesan headquarters to participate in the elections and refrain from voting for a specific political party.
Furthermore, according to the Investigative Committee, H.P., with the assistance of the Chancellor of the Aragatsotn Diocese, A.A., coerced the clergy of the diocese through blackmail to participate in rallies while wearing their ecclesiastical vestments. It is noted that A.A. conveyed the information through a “WhatsApp” group chat created for the clergy of the Aragatsotn Diocese, demanding photographs confirming their participation in the rallies.
Detention has been applied as a restrictive measure against H.P., while house arrest has been applied against A.A.