Detained archbishops of Armenian Church declare hunger strike

Archbishops Bagrat Galstanyan and Mikayel Ajapahyan. Photo: Sputnik Armenia

Arrested in Armenia, the archbishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Bagrat Galstanyan and Mikayel Ajapahyan, have declared a hunger strike. This was stated in a declaration distributed by Ajapahyan's lawyers, reports Sputnik Armenia.

"We declare a one-day hunger strike on July 5 in connection with Constitution Day, condemning the unconstitutional process against us," the statement said.

As reported, on June 26 in Armenia, the leader of the Sacred Struggle opposition movement, Archbishop Bagrat, was arrested. Investigators stated that the clergyman and his associates planned to organize terrorist attacks in the country with the aim of seizing power.

Ajapahyan was detained the next day. A criminal case was initiated against the clergyman, who was accused of public calls for power seizure, violation of territorial integrity, renunciation of sovereignty, and violent overthrow of the constitutional order.

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