Law enforcement and judicial systems engaged in carrying out unlawful directives – Holy Etchmiadzin

In response to media inquiries, Holy Etchmiadzin has issued a statement condemning the unlawful actions of law enforcement authorities.

“News websites aligned with government interests have circulated audio recordings of phone conversations allegedly belonging to Bishop Natan Hovhannisyan. In light of the government’s actions targeting the Church—including the detention of dozens of clergymen and the arrest of two church figures in recent days—it is now clear who is behind yet another such incident.

At present, the entire law enforcement and judicial system is engaged in carrying out illegal anti-church directives. The purpose of spreading such statements, allegedly attributed to the Catholicos of All Armenians, is to discredit the Church and incite hostility toward the clergy.

The violation of the confidentiality of phone conversations is itself a crime and a separate issue, which we hope the law enforcement agencies will address appropriately,” the statement reads.