This article is from the source 'rtcom' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.rt.com/russia/620613-police-clerics-clash-armenia/

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Police and clerics clash in Armenia: Live Updates Armenia issues arrest warrant for prominent cleric: Live Updates
(about 4 hours later)
Law enforcement is raiding a local seat of the national church, which has protested territorial concessions to Azerbaijan Law enforcement has raided a local seat of the national church that has protested territorial concessions to Azerbaijan
Armenian police have attempted to raid the seat of the country’s Apostolic Church, the country’s largest religion, in the city of Vagharshapat, leading to major clashes between clerics, church members and law enforcement. Armenian police have raided the seat of the country’s Apostolic Church, the country’s largest, in the city of Vagharshapat, leading to major clashes between clerics, church members, and law enforcement.
The stand-off comes amid speculation that Armenian authorities could try to arrest Archbishop Mikael Adjapahyan on suspicion that he had attempted to stage a coup. Security forces have attempted to detain Archbishop Mikael Adjapahyan on suspicion of attempting to stage a coup. According to the country’s Investigative Committee, Adjapahyan – who was protected by protesters – remains at large. The cleric himself, however, said that he was ready to go with officers while denying any wrongdoing.
The country’s government has been at odds with the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) for months, as it emerged as the main driver behind the mass protests against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s agreement to return several border villages to Azerbaijan.The country’s government has been at odds with the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) for months, as it emerged as the main driver behind the mass protests against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s agreement to return several border villages to Azerbaijan.
While Pashinyan portrayed the move as a pathway to mending tenuous relations between the two former Soviet republics, many Armenians have seen it as a betrayal of national interests.While Pashinyan portrayed the move as a pathway to mending tenuous relations between the two former Soviet republics, many Armenians have seen it as a betrayal of national interests.
As the stand-off escalated, Armenian authorities on Wednesday arrested Bagrat Galstanyan, a high-profile cleric and a key protest leader, on terrorism charges.As the stand-off escalated, Armenian authorities on Wednesday arrested Bagrat Galstanyan, a high-profile cleric and a key protest leader, on terrorism charges.
They also detained Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, who voiced support for the AAC. Karapetyan faces charges of calling for the overthrow of the state.They also detained Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, who voiced support for the AAC. Karapetyan faces charges of calling for the overthrow of the state.