ISTANBUL

Armenian authorities on Friday sought the arrest of Archbishop Mikhael Ajapahyan, head of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, over accusations of inciting a coup and attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, according to his lawyer.

The Investigative Committee requested a pretrial detention order from the court, Ajapahyan's attorney, Ara Zohrabyan, announced on Facebook.

Ajapahyan has been charged under Article 422, Part 2 of Armenia’s Criminal Code for statements allegedly calling for the seizure of power, made through media and digital platforms.

“The accusation is clearly unfounded and does not contain the elements of the crime as defined by the law,” said Zohrabyan, adding that the court will decide within 24 hours of the archbishop’s potential detention.

He claimed the move was part of a broader “illegal anti-Church campaign” by the authorities.

Ajapahyan has already denied the charges and said he is content with his role as a clergyman, urging political actors not to use his name as a potential candidate for prime minister.

"This entire process of attempted detention and interrogation has been accompanied by inappropriate comments from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan," the lawyer claimed, accusing the government of orchestrating an unprecedented intrusion by security forces into the premises of the Holy Etchmiadzin, the Church's spiritual center.