Armenian archbishop denies authenticity of intimate videos

Armenian Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan has denied the authenticity of intimate videos circulating online, describing them as “fabrications and lies” with no connection to his life.

Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Khachatryan said no form of pressure or “information terror” would compel him to admit to something he had not done. “There’s nothing in my life I’m ashamed of,” he said. “The things being attributed to me have absolutely no link to my biography or my actions.”

The controversy intensified after media outlets close to the ruling Civil Contract party circulated an image of a declaration reportedly signed by around ten bishops and archbishops. The document allegedly claimed that a forensic examination had confirmed the authenticity of intimate videos said to feature Khachatryan and accused Catholicos Karekin II of attempting to cover up the scandal.

Khachatryan questioned whether any of the signatories had acted under pressure, calling it “a form of betrayal” regardless of the circumstances. He also noted that no individual or institution had taken responsibility for producing or distributing the videos, adding the Investigative Committee itself had described them as illegal recordings.

He suggested the affair carried a political motive. “If I were enamoured with Nikol Pashinyan, I would not be targeted,” he said, adding the controversy surrounding him is politically motivated.

Khachatryan also criticized the speed with which the Investigative Committee conducted its examination of the videos and handed materials to one bishop, saying he had not been involved in the process.