“The absence of the Bishop affects us all” — Father Sargis, priest Sargsyan
Father Sargis Sargsyan told reporters about the recent interrogations he and several other clergymen underwent, emphasizing that the Bishop’s absence has had a heavy impact on everyone: “There is a sense of depression, and we pray together with the Administrative Council.”
He noted that representatives of the National Security Service and the Investigative Committee entered the homes of the clergy: “At around 7:30 a.m., a group from the NSS and the Investigative Committee entered our house. My four underage children were frightened, as were the adults. My little daughter is still afraid to enter a room when she hears a knock on the door.”
Father Sargis stressed that they want everyone’s rights to be respected: “It would have been better if we had received official summons and gone voluntarily, instead of being brought in by force. We spent 7–8 hours at the Investigative Committee without knowing our rights, and many of us gave testimony without a lawyer.”