Pashinyan vows to lead 'liberation' of Mother See

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has pledged to personally lead what he described as the “liberation” of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, intensifying his campaign against senior clergy.

“Amid all the debates, the most essential truth has emerged: the complete lack of any genuine connection between Jesus Christ and figures such as Ktrich Nersisyan [referring to Catholicos Karekin II by his birth name], [Archbishops] Vazgen Galstanyan, Gevorg Ajapahyan and others,” he wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

Pashinyan said the site “has been seized” by individuals who stand in opposition to Christian and national values.

“I will lead that liberation,” he added.