Armenian court allows Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan to attend, but not lead, church services

Armenia’s Court of Appeal has ruled that Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, head of the Shirak Diocese, may attend Sunday liturgies but is not permitted to officiate them.

The court clarified that attendance does not constitute participation, meaning the archbishop cannot conduct the service. It also rejected a motion by his legal team to lift his current preventive measure of house arrest.

The archbishop was initially detained on 28 June and later held in custody for an extended period. He faced criminal charges under Article 422(2) of Armenia’s Criminal Code, relating to public calls for the violent seizure of power and overthrow of the constitutional order in Armenia.

On 3 October 2025, a first instance court found him guilty and sentenced him to two years in prison. However, on 6 February 2026, his detention was replaced with house arrest following surgery.