Armenians in Russia protest outside Armenian Embassy in Moscow  following  guilty verdict against Archbishop Ajapahian

ArmInfo. The guilty verdict of an Armenian court against Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian, head of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC),  has caused discontent in the Armenian diaspora in Russia. Dozens of  citizens have gathered today outside the Armenian Embassy in Moscow  to express their dissatisfaction with the actions of the Armenian  authorities.

The protesters  arrived at the Armenian Embassy with posters reading,  "The Church is the soul, not the opposition," "Hands off the holy  place!" and others. They also held photographs of Archbishop Mikael  and the Holy See of Etchmiadzin, along with Armenian flags. They  called for the release  of Ajapahian. A video of the protest was  shared  on the SHOT Telegram channel.

The day before, Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhian was found guilty  by an  Armenian court of inciting the seizure of power and remanded him in  custody. His verdict will be discussed during an additional hearing  on September 29.