AAC demands immediate release of Armenian clergymen 

ArmInfo. By extending the detention of Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhian and national benefactor - President of the Tashir Group Samvel Karapetyan, the court once again violated justice, once again demonstrating the complete dependence of the courts on the ruling political authorities. This is stated in the statement of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

According to the statement, the text of which was distributed by the  Chancellery of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, such unfounded  decisions make justice punitive, and the courts become an instrument  for suppressing freedom of speech and freedom of religion.

"This style of work is characteristic of totalitarian systems and has  nothing in common with the democratic values promoted by the  authorities themselves. Repression and information terrorism used  against the Church, the clergy and supporters of the Church cannot  silence the voice of conscience and justice. The rights of Archbishop  Mikael Ajapakhyan and national benefactor Samvel Karapetyan must be  immediately restored, the illegal persecution must be stopped, and  they must be immediately released from custody," the statement reads.

The day before, the court rejected the motion to release the arrested  Primate of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church,  Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan. Judge Armine Meliksetyan left the  measure of restraint in the form of arrest unchanged, extending its  term for another 10 days. Ajapakhyan has been in custody since June  28. According to the Investigative Committee, during the preliminary  investigation of the criminal case, obvious factual data were  obtained that M.A. stated in an interview with one of the news  channels that he had repeatedly offered two former presidents of the  Republic of Armenia to carry out a military coup through generals who  held similar positions in the army, police and national security  agencies. Thus, M.A., using the media, made public calls aimed at  seizing power and violently overthrowing the constitutional order,  the report said. On July 30, the Court of Appeal rejected the  defense's appeal to change the measure of restraint against the  archbishop.

On August 15, the court extended the arrest of the head of the Tashir  Group of Companies Samvel Karapetyan for another 2 months. He was  detained on the night of June 18 in Yerevan by law enforcement  agencies of Armenia after he expressed support for the Armenian  Apostolic Church. In response to this, open threats followed from the  Prime Minister. On the night of June 19, the Yerevan Court of General  Jurisdiction arrested Samvel Karapetyan for two months. He is being  held in the Yerevan-Kentron Penitentiary Institution (the well-known  "KGB basement" in the building of the National Security Service of  Armenia). He is accused of publicly calling for the seizure of power  in the country. Karapetyan does not admit guilt. In addition, in  July, the head of the Tashir Group of Companies was charged with new  charges of money laundering.