Canadian MP voices concern over detention of Armenian clergymen

PanARMENIAN.Net - Canadian Member of Parliament Garnett Genuis has expressed his concern over the imprisonment of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, echoing the worries of many Armenians.

Genuis noted that he had the opportunity to meet Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan in Canada’s Parliament last year, reports the press service of the Sacred Struggle movement.

“In Armenia, democracy, religious freedom, and the ability to hold free and open discussions about the country’s future must be protected—now more than ever,” he said.

On the morning of June 25, law enforcement agencies began searches at the residences of supporters of the Sacred Struggle movement. The Investigative Committee stated that the movement’s participants and leaders had “planned to carry out terrorist acts and actions aimed at seizing power in Armenia.” Later, it was reported that movement leader Archbishop Bagrat had been remanded in custody for two months. Fourteen other individuals were also detained.

On the morning of June 27, about 30 masked individuals broke into the Shirak Diocese headquarters. Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan was at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin for a planned assembly. He later appeared before the Investigative Committee and, by court decision, was placed in two months’ pre-trial detention. Ajapahyan faces criminal charges of making public calls to seize power, violate territorial integrity, renounce sovereignty, or overthrow the constitutional order by force.