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29 January 2026 - 10:42 AMT

Archbishop Arshak’s detention extension to be reviewed

A motion has been filed to extend the detention of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, Chancellor of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. The news was shared by the archbishop’s attorney, Arsen Babayan, on Facebook.

“The motion will be examined in a closed hearing by February 3,” Babayan wrote.

Archbishop Arshak was arrested on December 5, and his visitation rights have been restricted.

i On December 4, National Security Service agents detained him at the Investigative Committee building. He is under public criminal prosecution under Article 393, Part 2, Points 1 and 4 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to the illegal sale of narcotics by a group acting with prior agreement in a public venue.