Armenian activists rally for release of detained teen, seek meeting with chief prosecutor

A group of civil society activists, predominantly women, staged a peaceful protest outside the Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office on Thursday, urging the authorities to release 18-year-old student David Minasyan or replace his pretrial detention with a less restrictive measure.

Among the demonstrators was Anna Hovhannisyan, head of the Imonk charitable fund, known for organizing fundraising initiatives that have enabled numerous children with serious illnesses to receive life-saving treatment.

“We are here as concerned citizens to urge Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan to release David Minasyan or at least replace his detention with a proportionate measure such as house arrest,” Hovhannisyan said. “We ask and urge Ms. Vardapetyan to come down and speak with us.”

Officials offered to admit two representatives of the group to deliver a formal letter to a department head. However, Hovhannisyan emphasized that the protesters’ aim was not to enter the building but to secure a direct meeting with the prosecutor general.

The woman from the city of Vanadzor said she had no personal connection to Minasyan and had never met him or his family. Prior to the demonstration, she initiated a petition calling on the Human Rights Defender’s Office to give due consideration to the case. The petition has gathered around 4,000 signatures, though she expressed dissatisfaction with the response issued by Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan.

Minasyan, a 12th-grade student, was detained on March 29 after a Palm Sunday mass at St. Anna Church. Tensions arose when Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his entourage entered the church, disrupting worshippers during prayer. Following the incident, Minasyan and his brother, Mikayel Minasyan, were detained. The latter was later released, while David Minasyan was placed in pre-trial detention for two months.

During transfers between detention facilities—initially to Armavir penitentiary and later to Abovyan—Minasyan reportedly experienced a deterioration in his health, including episodes of loss of consciousness. He is currently receiving treatment at Nairi Medical Center.

Protesters argue that Minasyan suffers from multiple health conditions and has been deprived of his right to education while in custody.