Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan was accused of publicly calling for the overthrow of the government.
A Yerevan court has sentenced the head of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Church, Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan, to two years in prison. According to the Armenpress, this is stated in the published final part of the verdict.
He was charged under part 2 of Article 422 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Armenia (public calls for the seizure of power, violation of territorial integrity, renunciation of sovereignty or violent overthrow of the constitutional order).
The bishop does not admit guilt and considers the case to be political. In court, he stated that even while behind bars, he feels free and grateful for the opportunity to "talk to God and himself."
The start of the term is set at the moment of the archbishop's actual detention. He has been in custody for more than three months, since June 28.
In the same month, Archbishop Bagrat (Vazgen Galstanyan), the head of the Tavush diocese and the Holy Struggle movement, was arrested on similar charges. He also criticizes Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and is accused of attempting to seize power.