Mother See demands immediate end to illegal persecution of Archbishop Arshak and imprisoned clergy

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin strongly condemns the December 4 arrest of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan on fabricated and baseless charges, as well as the court’s decision to detain him.

“This action reflects the wave of recent repressions targeting the Church and continues the political persecution of the clergy. The detention of high-ranking church leaders on trumped-up charges is yet another manifestation of the authorities’ anti-church policy and the growing hate speech directed at the clergy. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin demands an immediate end to the illegal persecution of His Eminence Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan and the remaining imprisoned clergymen, and calls for the restoration of their violated rights,” the statement reads.