NSS agents leave Mother See amid tensions

Officers from the Armenian National Security Service (NSS) have decided to withdraw from the premises of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, citing security concerns and a desire to prevent further escalation.

NSS agents entered the Mother See premises to arrest Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, prompting a confrontation with clergymen.

In an official statement on Friday, the NSS said during an attempt to arrest Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan (Gevorg Ajapahyan), a crowd began to gather within the grounds of the Mother See. In response to the increasing tensions and in order to prevent the situation from escalating, either unintentionally or through deliberate provocation, the NSS and the police jointly made the decision to exit the premises.

Authorities urged the public to remain calm and avoid obstructing law enforcement actions.

The NSS called on Ajapahyan to present himself to its officers and warned that any interference with legal procedures will have consequences.