Protesters demand release of senior clerics, call for Pashinyan’s prosecution

A group of people gathered outside the Armenian National Assembly on Monday to protest against the unlawful detention and prosecution of Archbishops Mikayel Ajapahyan and Bagrat Galstanyan.

The demonstrators held images of the senior clerics and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, as well as a photo depicting a satanic figure with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s face superimposed.

“When I speak with people, they say misfortune is the fate of Armenians, that we never had real statehood and they blame the devil for everything. But we know the true name of evil – Nikol Pashinyan,” one participant said. Quoting a traditional formula from Armenian Apostolic Church rituals, she added: “I renounce devil, I renounce Nikol Pashinyan.”

The protesters announced plans to attend the upcoming court hearing in Archbishop Mikayel’s trial. Beforehand, they marched from the parliament building to the National Security Service (NSS), where the archbishops are being held in detention.

During the march, the protesters chanted “Freedom to the archbishop”, “Prevent the cursed verdict” and “Put Nikol on trial”.