NGO Files Crime Report After Priest's Coercion Claim

The Union of Informed Citizens has issued a statement:

"In response to questions from respected media representatives, we inform you that on September 16 of this year, the spiritual pastor of Hovhannavank, priest Father Aram, announced on Public Television that in 2021, there was coercion within the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church to participate in the pre-election rallies of one of the political forces.

Since forcing participation in rallies is an act prohibited by both the old and new Criminal Codes, the "Union of Informed Citizens" submitted a crime report to the RA Prosecutor's Office on September 17, requesting an examination of this public statement. Just as we always do in all cases when we notice any public speech about a crime directed against the democratic order.

We inform you that we do not have any other information or details about the alleged crime or its possible perpetrators.

We also consider it necessary to note that forcing people to participate in any rally or paying for it is a crime, and the state must fight against it".