Daniel Ioannisyan's report prompted investigation into Armenian clergy, lawyer says

Clerics and employees of the Aragatsotn Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church have been taken to the country’s Investigative Committee for questioning following allegations of pressure to participate in anti-government protests.

According to lawyer Marine Farmanyan, almost all clerics and staff members of the diocese are currently being questioned as witnesses. “We have not yet been involved in the case as defense lawyers, but we learned that a report to the Investigative Committee was filed by Daniel Ioannisyan based on Father Aram's statements,” Farmanyan told Panorama.am on Wednesday.

Father Aram, a priest of the diocese, said in a recent televised interview that he had been forced to attend all the protests in 2021 by his superiors.

“I lived in Yerevan at the time and had to take part in all the demonstrations,” he said. “If I didn’t go, there would be problems and I would have to explain why I hadn’t attended. That was the order from above.”

It remains unclear in what capacity the leader of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, is involved in the case. “Once we locate him, things will become clearer,” Farmanyan said.

The Investigative Committee has not responded to Panorama.am’s written inquiries or phone calls. Daniel Ioannisyan, founder of the Union of Informed Citizens NGO, has also not responded to phone calls.