Group of citizens protest outside  parliament and National Security  Service in support of Archbishop Mikael

ArmInfo.In light of the latest hearing regarding the case of Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, Primate of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, a  group of citizens held a protest today, September 22, outside the  Armenian parliament and later in front of the National Security  Service. The  protest was also to express support for another  imprisoned clergyman, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the  "Sacred Struggle" movement.

Protesters arrived at the parliament building carrying wooden crosses  with photographs of the archbishops attached to them. During the  protest, Eleonora Manandyan,  one of the participants,  outlined the  demands they would voice. Specifically, the protesters called on the  Armenian people to come to their senses, take to the streets, and  begin a fight against the authorities' illegal actions against the  Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC). They also demanded justice and fair  trials from judges.

In this regard, Manandyan expressed bewilderment that all political  forces are currently focusing exclusively on the 2026 elections,  while the country faces security issues, that are becoming  increasingly worse with each passing day under Prime Minister Nikol  Pashinyan's rule. "Nikol Pashinyan crucified Artsakh, and the same is  now happening to our holy site of Ararat. He is crucifying  representatives of the Armenian Church and the Mother See of  Etchmiadzin. The Prime Minister is trying to destroy Armenia with all  his might," the protester stated. Following the protest outside the  parliament building, a group of citizens headed to the National  Security Service building. There, they continued their protest,  chanting "Freedom for Srbazan, condemn Nikol Pashinyan." They  displayed a banner portraying Nikol Pashinyan as Satan outside the  NSS building.