MIA police urges citizens to refrain from provocations amidst  bishops` appeal to join their demand for resignation of Catholicos of  All Armenians at Mother See

ArmInfo.  The Police of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Armenia have issued a  statement calling on citizens to refrain from illegal and provocative  actions amid the upcoming meeting of bishops at the Mother See of  Etchmiadzin demanding the resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians  Karekin II. 

As noted in a statement distributed by the Ministry of Internal  Affairs Police's Facebook page, on December 17, ten bishops of the  Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC)  issued an appeal to the citizens of  Armenia and called on believers to join their demand for the  resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II at the Mother  See of Holy Etchmiadzin on December 18 at 5:00 PM. The police pointed  out that following this statement, the Aragatsotn Diocese of the AAC    also made an announcement about the rescheduling of the joint service  planned for December 18 at 7:00 PM at St. Hovhannes Church in  Byurakan to 5:00 PM at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. "Following  the statement by the Aragatsotn Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic  Church, some citizens and social media users started posting  provocative messages. We urge you to refrain from illegal actions,  respect the rights of others, not succumb to provocations, and obey  the lawful demands of police officers responsible for maintaining  public order," the statement reads.

The department warned that the Ministry of Internal Affairs police  will carry out their legal duties to maintain public order and ensure  the safety of citizens. "The Ministry of Internal Affairs police will  carry out their legal duties, maintaining public order and ensuring  the safety of all citizens. Any illegal actions will be subject to  appropriate criminal prosecution," the police concluded.

Recall, 10 bishops who had previously joined Armenian Prime Minister  Nikol Pashinyan's anti-church campaign, launched in May to demand,  called on citizens to join their demand for the resignation of  Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II  at the Mother See of Holy  Etchmiadzin on December18.  Following this announcement, many public  figures and opposition representatives expressed their intention to  attend the service at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin on that day  to demonstrate their support for Karekin II. The Aragatsotn Diocese  of the Armenian Apostolic Church also released a statement,  announcing the postponement of the service and its holding at the  Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin amidst the demands for the resignation  of the Catholicos of All Armenians.