NKR Parliament  Speaker  expresses concern over recent events in  Armenia, polarization of society, and attempts to weaken  authority  of Armenian Apostolic Church

ArmInfo.  Ashot Danielyan, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, has issued a statement expressing deep concern, on behalf of  the NKR,  over recent events in Armenia, the polarization of society,  and attempts to weaken the authority of national institutions,  particularly the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC), through state  rhetoric and actions.

Danielyan's statement, published on the NKR Parliament's Facebook  page, noted that the Armenian Apostolic Church has been one of the  pillars of the spiritual, cultural, and national identity of our  people for centuries.

 "Recent discussions surrounding the Church and anti-Church actions  will negatively impact national solidarity. It is imperative to avoid  such actions and statements, which could undermine public peace and  mutual respect.

At the same time, public assessments regarding restrictions on  freedoms and political persecution are concerning. In this context,  yesterday's arrest of the head of the Masis community and elected  mayor, David Hambardzumyan, as well as the criminal prosecution of  citizens perceived by the public as politically motivated, are  particularly disturbing. The protection of democracy, the rule of  law, and human rights are our shared national values, and all  structures, both state and public, are obligated to act solely in  accordance with the principles of law and justice," the legislator  noted.

In this context, Danielyan called on the Armenian authorities to  refrain from  actions and rhetoric, that undermine the restoration of  trust in society and are not aimed at fully ensuring freedoms and  national consolidation. "Only by forming a unified, law-based, and  value-oriented society will it be possible to build a strong, secure,  and democratic Armenia for the benefit of the entire Armenian people  and the future of our statehood, for the benefit of the collective  and safe return of the people of Artsakh," the Artsakh  parliamentarian concluded.