Interfax, Russia
July 21 2014

Fight with Armenian priest takes place in Tbilisi near Armenian church

Yerevan, July 21, Interfax – An incident considered by Yerevan as “a
planned attck” happened in Tbilisi in the churchyard of the Armenian
church.

“A woman, who parked her car near the church gates failed to drive
away from the territory because of other vehicles. A churchgoer of the
Armenian church and diocesan representatives offered to help the
woman. However, she refused, having called her acquaintances. The men,
who arrived to the scene, helped with the car, at that having insulted
the Armenian priest and diocesan representatives,” the Georgian
Diocese of the Armenian Apostle Church reports.

Church employees approached them, “however the men continued their
disorderly conduct having hit a diocesan representative.” A fight
occurred, which stopped after a while, and the parties left, the
statement reads.

“In the evening the same individuals, who were joined by some 50
people, attacked priest Manuk Zeynalyan in the church and head of the
diocesan department for legal issues Levon Isakhanyan, having
seriously injured them. The attackers tore off the cross from the
priest and took it with them,” the Georgian Diocese said.

Armenian Foreign Ministry spokesman Tigran Balayan said they expected
“an unbiased investigation and those guilty be punished as quickly as
possible.”

From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress