Prosecutor requests extension of Bishop Mkrtich’s detention for three more months (Video)

The first court hearing in the case of the Primate of the Aragatsotn Diocese, His Grace Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, and the diocesan archbishop, Father Garegin Arsenyan, spiritual pastor of St. Gevorg Church in Mughni, has begun.

Clergy of the diocese attended the hearing in support of the Holy Father. Also present in the courtroom were Stepan Asatryan and Aramayis Takhmazyan – former clergymen known as Father Aram and Father Tade – who are recognized as injured parties in the case.

The prosecutor stated that if released, Archbishop Mkrtich may obstruct the criminal proceedings, including by unlawfully interfering with the collection and examination of evidence.

He further announced that the Holy Father is charged with committing a serious crime, punishable exclusively by imprisonment for a term of four to eight years.

Based on these grounds, the prosecutor requested the court to extend Bishop Mkrtich’s detention for an additional three months.