Rumors have recently been afloat suggesting new sects have been formed in Armenia, director of the center of rehabilitation and aid for the victims of destructive cults said.

“In fact, some of them have been renamed. “Brides of God” sect is not a recently formed sect. It was set up during the Orange Revolution in Ukraine in 2003. It was part of the “Embassy of God” spiritual organization, with the Armenian branch called “Live Meeting” later becoming a separate sect,” Alexander Amaryan said.

He further conditioned reports on sects during the presidential elections by one of the candidate’s being a sectarian.

“I won’t give any names due to the ongoing post-election developments. I will divulge his name later,” Mr Amaryan said, adding that religious sects play a major role in any country’s policy.

He further noted Evangelical Church as part of a non-governmental organization, with leaders appointed abroad.

“People become sectarians due to the foreign funding. Sect members get 10% of the funds,” Mr Amaryan said, warning of the psychological problems sects may cause.