Ruling party`s campaign against AAC weakens Armenia`s position in  international arena - Statement

ArmInfo. In the current challenging geopolitical situation, the political persecution initiated by Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and representatives of the ruling party against the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) undermines the unity of the people and weakens the state's position in the world arena.

The priests, , as reported by the press service of the Mother See of Etchmiadzin, made this statement following their annual meeting on July 11 under the chairmanship of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. During the meeting, the recent alarming events in the country were discussed. The statement emphasizes that the authorities' inappropriate behavior and offensive remarks against the Holy Church, as well as the ongoing threats and open attempts to split the clergy, violate the Constitution of Armenia, the Law on Freedom of Conscience and Religious Organizations, as well as many international standards. The statement condemns the imprisonment of businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan  for his defense of the Armenian Church.

 "It is also unacceptable that the authorities deliberately ignore the principle of the presumption of innocence in the case of Archbishop Bagrat Galstyan and his associates. With great indignation and pain, we also witnessed the intrusion of law enforcement agencies into Holy Etchmiadzin on June 27 in an attempt to detain Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan. Despite assurances that he would voluntarily appear before the Investigative Committee, law enforcement agencies chose to carry out their plan using disproportionate force, which rightly provoked protest from all of us and prevented our annual meeting from being held," the statement reads. The priests condemned the encroachment on the sanctuary of all Armenians and such an attitude towards the Patriarch and the clergy. Additionally, they expressed support for Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II.

The statement emphasizes that incitement of hostility and hatred, propaganda of discrimination and calls for various types of violence are dangerous and destructive, and can never benefit national life. "Attacks on the AAC, on our cherished values and shrines are unacceptable and impermissible, fraught with irreversible consequences for the nation and the future of Armenia. There is no need to expose our homeland and our people to new upheavals and disasters. We must steadfastly continue to strengthen faith, hope and love in our people as well as strengthen loyalty to our Holy Church and national and spiritual values. Thanks to these values, as throughout the centuries, we will be able to overcome all the difficulties and trials of our life," the statement concluded.