‘Hands off the sacred!’: protest held outside Armenian Embassy in Moscow

A protest is taking place outside the Armenian Embassy in Moscow, with dozens of people gathering to demonstrate against the actions of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, following the government’s decision to find Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, head of the Shirak Diocese, guilty of inciting the seizure of power.

Protesters brought Armenian flags and held signs reading “Nikol is a traitor,” “Pashinyan is the enemy,” “Hands off the sacred!” and others. They demanded the immediate release of Archbishop Ajapahyan.

The day before, a court hearing was held in the archbishop’s case, during which he was found guilty of incitement to seize power. He faces up to five years in prison.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is currently in Moscow on a working visit.