Criminal case launched after Pashinyan church incident

PanARMENIAN.Net - A criminal investigation has been launched in connection with the incident involving the prime minister at Surb Anna Church in Yerevan under Article 297(1) of Armenia’s Criminal Code (hooliganism) and Article 452(3) (interference with the lawful official or political activities of a public official). The Investigative Committee reported this, according to Armenpress.

Three individuals have been detained.

On March 29, an incident was recorded during a liturgy at Surb Anna Church in Yerevan. As the prime minister was leaving and moving through a dense crowd, one person told a bodyguard clearing the way, “Don’t look at me like that.” Another individual from the back of the crowd attempted to strike in the direction of Nikol Pashinyan. The prime minister instructed his bodyguards to remain calm. The detentions took place in the church courtyard.

After the incident, while walking with his team, Pashinyan stated that some of those causing the disturbance in the church were members of the Republican Party of Armenia, while others were affiliated with the Sasna Tsrer group, representing the National Democratic Alliance, Aravot.am reports.

“In the church, those few people making noise — some were from the Republican Party, others from Sasna Tsrer, representatives of the National Democratic Alliance,” Pashinyan said.

Later, it became known that two of the three detainees in the courtyard of Surb Anna Church in Yerevan are brothers — Davit and Mikael Minasyans. This was stated by lawyer Lusine Martirosyan, Sputnik Armenia reports.