Pashinyan, speaking to reporters, said anyone who would threaten Armenia would receive a concrete response.“They attempted to make an impression that some people can come to Armenia and do something, in their own words, “in their own way.” Armenia has concrete levers to react, and overall I will not tolerate anyone daring to say something like that. I advise that no one dares say something like that. Armenia is a democratic country where everyone has the right to express opinion, assemble, participate in the political and public life, but no one can threaten Armenia, I will take the strongest and strictest measures in any such case,” Pashinyan said.“The people blame us, and some people in our country try to view democracy as weakness. I say, those who will confuse democracy with weakness will have a taste of the state. Those who will threaten to interfere in their own ways if politicians don’t, will have an adequate response,” Pashinyan said. The Russia-based billionaire faced criminal proceedings after making remarks in support of clergymen whom authorities accuse of violating the church canon law and call for their defrocking. Karapetyan expressed support to the Church and said he would interfere in “his own way” if the process doesn’t end. His comments were deemed a threat, and authorities launched a criminal case on “public calls for usurping power.”Authorities have denied the accusations of waging an anti-church campaign, underscoring that they are fighting against those who have “desecrated the Church’s sanctities.” Pashinyan had earlier accused Catholicos Karekin II and other clergymen of breaching their vow of celibacy. He had proposed to create a “coordinating council” that would organize a new election of a Catholicos.