Armenia opposition bloc supports Bishop Ajapakhyan's nomination as Prime Minister

The opposition parliamentary bloc Armenia has expressed support for the initiative of politician Edmond Marukyan to nominate Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan as a candidate for the post of Prime Minister of the republic as part of the impeachment process of the current head of government Nikol Pashinyan.

"Taking into account the situation around the Holy Armenian Apostolic Church and Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan, as well as public consolidation, the Hayastan faction (Armenia — Ed.) announces that with the signatures of 28 deputies it joins the initiative to impeach Pashinyan," Sputnik Armenia reports.

The report notes that deputies Hovik Aghazaryan and Hakob Aslanyan have already supported a vote of no confidence in the current prime minister with the nomination of the archbishop.

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

On the same day, the Investigative Committee of Armenia opened a criminal case after citizens prevented the detention of Archbishop Ajapakhyan. A scuffle was reported between police officers and priests near the residence of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. The security forces tried to detain Ajapakhyan, but the believers and priests did not allow him to be taken away.

On June 26, the Armenian Prosecutor General's Office opened a criminal case under Article 422 ("Public calls for the violent overthrow of power") against Archbishop Ajapakhyan. The reason was the archbishop's public statements about the political situation in the country.