Armenian clergyman`s lawyers concerned over delay in solving his  health problem 

ArmInfo.  The lawyers for convicted Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan express concern over the authorities' slowness in addressing their client's health issues.  This is stated in a statement by the lawyers.

It is noted that, in accordance with the procedure established by the  RA Government Decree of May 26, 2006, and taking into account  Archbishop Michael's desire to undergo surgery at Izmirlian Medical  Center CJSC at his own expense, on October 7, Archbishop Ara  Zohrabyan, his lawyer, filed an application with the Penitentiary  Service of the RA Ministry of Justice, expecting it to take measures  to organize the archbishop's surgery, including consent to his  transfer to the Penitentiary Medicine Center SNCO. Then, on October  29, November 6, and November 10, applications were sent to the  Penitentiary Medicine Center SNCO. The applications were accompanied  by relevant medical documents and Archbishop Michael's written  consent, and the SNCO was to take measures to organize Archbishop  Michael's surgery, as well as treatment for another illness, at  Izmirlian Medical Center CJSC.

According to our information, the SNCO suggested the archbishop  choose a hospital other than the Izmirlyan Medical Center, but  Archbishop Mikael claimed he had been treated at the Izmirlyan  Medical Center, had a treating physician, and trusted the hospital  and doctor. In a letter on November 28, the director of the  Penitentiary Medicine Center, while acknowledging the need for a  planned operation, noted only that the archbishop had declined free  medical care. As we see, the aforementioned letter does not express a  position on the archbishop's request for surgery and treatment at the  Izmirlyan Medical Center at his own expense. The defense expresses  concern over the SNCO's position and the delay in addressing the  bishop's health issue and is preparing to take the necessary measures  to protect the archbishop's right to health," the statement  emphasizes.

Archbishop Ajapakhian of the Shirak Diocese was arrested in June on  charges of calling for a violent seizure of power. The charges  against Ajapakhian stem from an interview he gave a year ago, in  which he spoke of the need for a coup. Ajapakhian denies the charges,  and his defense alleges political persecution. On October 3, the  court sentenced him to two years in prison.