Armenian expert concerned over 'destructive sects'

At his meeting with journalists, Alexander Amaryan, Head of the Center for Help of Destructive Sects, claimed that "it takes two to seven years, as well as huge funds, to make a person drawn into a sect return to normal life."

Over the last five years, the center has helped only ten to 15 people, he said.

According to him, sects have intensified their activities in Armenia. Jehovah's Witnesses are especially active. The apply to courts, trying to "show themselves under pressure."

According to Amaryan, almost all the religious organizations "have their roots in the United States." They are "sponsored" from the United States, he claimed.

According to Amaryan, the Armenian Apostolic Church is not playing as important a role in battling sects as the people and the Armenian government do. He pointed out the need for the relevant laws to be drafted by experts – lawyers and psychologists specializing in religion.

According to Amaryan, a religious murder was committed in Armenia, but the law-enforcers failed to "provide an expert." "We need a law-enforcement agency to specialize in religious organizations. Sects are crying out about being pressured, which is ruled out," he said.