The actions of State Protection Service officers during an incident at St. Anna Church in Yerevan were necessary and sufficient, according to the agency’s head Artur Gasparyan, Aysor.am reports.

“On March 29, 2026, during the prevention of an encroachment by a citizen against a state-protected объект at St. Anna Church on Abovyan Street in Yerevan, the actions of the Service’s personnel were necessary and sufficient. They were aimed at preventing threats to protected objects, neutralizing risks directed at them, and avoiding dangerous consequences,” Gasparyan stated.

He stated that, under the law “On ensuring the security of persons subject to special state protection,” officers have the right to use physical force, special means, and weapons in cases предусмотренных законом, to ensure the safety of protected individuals and prevent threats or attacks against them.

On March 29, an incident occurred during a liturgy at St. Anna Church in Yerevan. As Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan was leaving through a dense crowd, one person told a bodyguard, “Don’t look at me like that.” Another individual from behind attempted to strike toward Pashinyan. The prime minister instructed his security detail to remain calm. Detentions took place in the church courtyard.

Preventive measures were applied to Mikael Minasyan and Gevorg Gevorgyan, including a travel ban and bail set at 5 million drams. Davit Minasyan was remanded in custody for two months by a court decision on April 1.

Lawyer Lusine Martirosyan had earlier published a video allegedly showing a security officer striking 18-year-old Davit inside the church. The same officer had previously been involved in another incident at Hovhannavank, where he covered a young man’s mouth during a liturgy.