Vardapetyan appeals ruling in Archbishop Mikael case (PAN.am)

Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan has filed a cassation appeal against the June 25 decision of the Criminal Court of Appeal in the case involving Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan.

Аs reported by Archbishop’s defense team, the Prosecutor General has asked that the decision lifting Ajapahyan’s house arrest be overturned.

“Prosecutor General of the Republic of Armenia Anna Vardapetyan has filed a cassation appeal with the Court of Cassation against the decision issued by the Criminal Court of Appeal of the Republic of Armenia on June 25, 2026, concerning Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan.

The Prosecutor General disagrees with the Criminal Court of Appeal of the Republic of Armenia and has asked the Court of Cassation to overturn the decision,” the statement said.

Under its June 25 decision, the court lifted Ajapahyan’s house arrest.

Criminal proceedings were initiated against the archbishop under the article concerning public calls aimed at seizing power, violating territorial integrity, renouncing sovereignty or violently overthrowing the constitutional order. He was arrested on June 28, 2025. In February, the Court of Appeal replaced the cleric’s detention with house arrest.