Public and political figure Edgar Ghazaryan wrote on his Facebook page that a criminal case will be initiated to examine the circumstances of what he described as a “fake ceremony held under the guise of a liturgy” at the Yot Verk (Seven Wounds) Church in Gyumri with the participation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
He said the matter has already entered the legal stage.
“To examine the circumstances of the fake ceremony that took place under the name of a liturgy at Gyumri’s Yot Verk Church with the participation of Nikol Pashinyan, a criminal proceeding will be initiated.
At the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction of Shirak Province, I won the case. Prior to that, the Investigative Committee and the Prosecutor’s Office had rejected my crime report and complaint seeking the initiation of criminal proceedings. They still have the opportunity to appeal, but they likely also realize that they are facing an extremely principled and persistent individual.
Justice and the rule of law will be established in our country. As long as we are alive, we must fight,” Edgar Ghazaryan wrote.
In early December, a liturgy was served at the Surb Yot Verk Church in Gyumri, attended by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and members of the ruling elite, as part of the “church reform” agenda. A priest invited from Armavir officiated after clergy of the Shirak Diocese refused to do so. The church doors had been sealed the day before.
