The Investigative Committee of Armenia opened a criminal case after obstructing the detention of Ajapakhyan

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has opened a criminal case after citizens prevented the detention of Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan, head of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC). This was reported on the agency's website on June 27.

"During the proceedings, a group of individuals obstructed the legitimate activities of law enforcement agencies, therefore, criminal cases were also initiated on grounds of obstruction of justice," the publication says.

Earlier in the day, a scuffle was reported between police officers and priests near the residence of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. It was clarified that the security forces tried to detain Ajapakhyan, but believers and priests did not allow him to be taken away.

War for Faith: Armenian security forces tried to detain Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan

Scuffles break out between priests and police at the residence of the Catholicos of All Armenians

The criminal case against Ajapakhyan was initiated on June 26 due to the archbishop's public statements regarding the political situation in the country.

Also on June 25, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the opposition movement "Holy Struggle", and 14 other people, his supporters, were detained in Armenia as part of a criminal case on an "attempt to seize power." On June 26, Galstanyan was arrested for two months.