Armenian archbishop's supporters mark his birthday outside NSS detention center

Supporters of Armenian Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan gathered outside the National Security Service (NSS) detention facility in Yerevan on Wednesday to mark his 55th birthday, chanting calls for his release.

“Happy 55th birthday, Archbishop,” and “Freedom for Archbishop Bagrat,” demonstrators shouted outside the detention center, where the prominent cleric and opposition figure is being held.

One supporter told the crowd that Galstanyan would spend his birthday in custody and said those gathered had come to celebrate in his place.

“Today is the 55th birthday of our beloved Archbishop Bagrat,” the supporter said. “He will spend this day at the NSS detention facility. We will blow out the candles on the cake for him and make a wish. We all share the same wish — freedom for the archbishop.”