In the course of the preliminary investigation of the criminal proceeding investigated in General Department for Investigation of Crimes against the State, Fundamentals of the Constitutional Order and Public Security of the RA investigative Committee, apparent factual data were obtained on the allegation that H.P., Primate of the Diocese of Aragatsotn, using the influence arising from his official authority, during a meeting conducted at the Aragatsotn Diocese’s prelacy prior to the snap elections of the 8th convocation of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia held in 2021, instructed two or more individuals, clergymen performing spiritual service within the Aragatsotn Diocese, to participate in the elections and not to vote in favor of a political party.

In addition, H.P. with the help of A.A., Chancellor of the Aragatsotn Diocese, particularly by providing information by the latter, namely, through a group chat created in the ‘WhatsApp’ internet application intended for the clergymen of the Aragatsotn Diocese, using the influence arising from his official authority and through blackmail, compelled clergymen performing spiritual service within the Aragatsotn Diocese to participate in the mentioned gatherings wearing clerical clothing, demanding that they take photographs confirming their participation in the gatherings and send them via the aforementioned internet application.

In the course of the preliminary investigation public criminal prosecution was initiated against H.P. according to the Point 2 of the Part 3 of the Article 210, and the Part 3 of the Article 236 of RA Criminal Code, against A.A. according to the Part 3 of the Article 46-236 of RA Criminal Code.

Detention was applied as a pretrial measure against H.P., home detention was applied as a pretrial measure against A.A..

The criminal proceeding with the bill of indictment was sent to the prosecutor.