In the course of preliminary investigation of the criminal proceeding investigated in General Department for Investigation of Particularly Important Cases of the RA Investigative Committee a decision was made to initiate a public criminal prosecution against Mikael Ajapahyan, Primate of the Shirak Diocese, according to the Part 2 of the Article 422 of RA Criminal Code, for making public calls to seize power and forcibly overthrow the constitutional order by using mass media and information and communication technologies.

With this regard, on June 27, 2025 a decision was made to arrest the defendant Mikael Ajapahyan, who is at large, for presentation to court in order to apply detention as a pretrial measure against him. The execution of the aforementioned arrest decision was assigned to the employees of the RA National Security Service, in accordance with the procedure prescribed by law.

Considering that during the proceeding, the lawful activities of law enforcement bodies were obstructed by a group of individuals, another criminal proceeding was initiated on obstructing the administration of justice.

The Investigative Committee warns that obstruction and interference by various individuals in the legitimate professional activities of law enforcement bodies may, in accordance with the RA legislation, lead to criminal liability, and under these circumstances we do urge to refrain from any manifestations of illegal behavior.