Mikael Ajapahyan, head of the Shirak Diocese, has been sentenced to two years in prison. The verdict was announced today by Judge Armine Meliksetyan. Prosecutors had initially requested a harsher sentence of two years and six months. Ajapahyan’s lawyers argue that the case represents political persecution targeting both him and the Armenian Apostolic Church.
Ajapahyan was arrested on June 28, 2025, following a ruling by Judge Masis Melkonyan of the Yerevan General Jurisdiction Criminal Court. He is accused of calling for the seizure of power, violating territorial integrity, renouncing sovereignty, or overthrowing the constitutional order. The charges are based on interviews he gave to media outlets, in which he allegedly stated that a military coup was necessary.
The contested statements were not initially considered criminal by law enforcement, and no case was opened at the time. The proceedings were revived two years later, reportedly coinciding with government scrutiny of the Armenian Apostolic Church under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The criminal investigation was officially launched on June 17, 2025. Ajapahyan denies the charges.
The prosecution’s case relied on two interviews it classified as calls for a military coup. In one interview with Gala TV, Ajapahyan said there are three ways to change the government: elections, a coup, or a popular uprising. He added that while all three are subjectively impossible, they are objectively possible, stressing that his statements over the past six years had made this clear. He also stated that during wartime he had spoken to Presidents Kocharyan and Sargsyan about the need for a military coup.
In the second interview, Ajapahyan reiterated his position, clarifying that he did not call for a seizure of power but for a coup, urging security forces to save the country from “this madman.”
The trial concluded after just 10 court sessions. The first hearing was held on August 15, with proceedings often scheduled daily and continuing beyond normal working hours.
Ajapahyan’s lawyers also raised concerns about judicial bias, claiming Judge Meliksetyan consistently rejected their motions without justification, including requests related to his pre-trial detention. They also pointed out irregularities in the ruling, noting that the judge cited Article 442 of the Criminal Code (illegal entrepreneurial activity by an official) instead of Article 424 (public calls for the seizure of power), which was the actual basis for the case.
Defense attorney Ara Zohrabyan described the verdict as “an evident political directive,” stressing that Ajapahyan’s words represented an expression of opinion and could not be classified as a call to action. The defense confirmed plans to appeal and has already begun the process of bringing the case before the European Court of Human Rights.
Law enforcement pursued Ajapahyan based on statements made years earlier, raising concerns over violation of the principle of non bis in idem (protection against being tried twice for the same alleged act). Just days after opening the criminal case, authorities raided the Shirak Diocese headquarters on June 26 and then forcefully entered the Catholicosate during a clergy assembly—without notifying Ajapahyan. Their attempt to stage a “media spectacle” failed, as Ajapahyan voluntarily presented himself.
The following day, on June 27, police attempted to arrest Ajapahyan at the Etchmiadzin Holy See after a clergy meeting. Escorted by Catholicos Garegin II, he was surrounded by hundreds of supporters. Police eventually withdrew, citing concerns over escalating the already tense situation.
On September 24, Ajapahyan was formally convicted of public calls to seize power, before today’s October 3 sentencing. Citizens present in the courtroom reacted with outrage to the verdict, chanting “Srbazan, Srbazan” in support of the Archbishop.
Following the announcement, the defense said the outcome was predictable and reaffirmed their commitment to appeal the decision.
