Detentions of Sacred Movement members politicized - AAC Supreme  Spiritual Council

ArmInfo. The Supreme Spiritual Council issued a statement in connection with the detention of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and supporters of the "Sacred Struggle"  movement, calling this process politicized.

As reported by the press office of the Mother See of Holy  Etchmiadzin, on June 25, a meeting of the Supreme Spiritual Council  was held in the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin under the chairmanship  of His Holiness Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians  Garegin II.

Following the results, a statement was issued, which, in particular,  reads: "The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin expresses deep concern  over the actions taken today by law enforcement agencies against  Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and his associates, as well as the  serious accusations brought against them.

Distrust of the legal process is caused by the fact that from the  very beginning, the Prime Minister of Armenia and various  representatives of the ruling party, guided by obvious political  motives, tried to direct the actions of law enforcement agencies  through various publications.

Also condemnable is the attempt to artificially link this process  with the Church and to use the name of the Mother See of Holy  Etchmiadzin, which fits completely into the context of the  anti-clerical campaign initiated by the authorities.

The Mother Church will seek a fair trial by all legal means and calls  on the relevant authorities not to succumb to political manipulation,  but to be guided by the Constitution and laws of the Republic of  Armenia, respecting the principle of the presumption of innocence." 

On June 25, law enforcement officers began searching the homes of  supporters of the "Sacred Struggle" movement and individuals with  opposition views. The Investigative Committee issued a statement  according to which the participants and leaders of the movement  allegedly planned terrorist attacks in Armenia. According to the  Investigative Committee, a number of people participated in the  planning, including former police officers and military personnel.  Sixteen people were detained on charges of attempting to "seize  power," including the leader of the movement, Archbishop Bagrat  Galstanyan. Nine people, including the archbishop, were arrested for  two months. It should be noted that the detentions began a day after  the Armenian Prime Minister announced that a coup d'etat was  allegedly being prepared in the country.