Three Individuals Detained from Church Courtyard Following Attempted Assault on Pashinyan

YEREVAN — Criminal proceedings have been initiated in connection with the incident that took place at St. Anna Church in Yerevan under Article 297, Part 1 of the Criminal Code (hooliganism) and Article 452, Part 3 (interference with the lawful official or political activities of a public official).

Armenia’s Investigative Committee confirmed the development, adding that three individuals have been detained on suspicion of hooliganism and interfering with the lawful official and political activities of a public official.

As previously reported, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan attended the church service at St. Anna Church together with members of the Civil Contract party.

The incident took place on March 29 at St. Anna Church, where a confrontation was recorded involving a young man and Prime Minister Pashinyan. As Pashinyan, accompanied by his security personnel, was attempting to leave the church, security officers were clearing a path through the crowd when a young man became upset and urged them not to push.

“Don’t look at me like that,” the young man reportedly told the prime minister before allegedly attempting to strike him with his hand.

Prime Minister Pashinyan instructed his security personnel not to react to the provocation.

Approximately two hours after the incident, two citizens were taken into custody.