The political scene in Armenia has been rocked by a series of arrests of high-ranking clergy, accusations of terrorist acts and suspicions of a coup plot. The government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is taking tough measures against representatives of the Armenian Apostolic Church, increasing internal tensions ahead of parliamentary elections in 2026.
On June 25, a Yerevan court ordered a two-month arrest for Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan, head of the Shirak Diocese, on charges that his lawyer said were “baseless and illegal.” The decision sparked outrage in church circles and among believers, and the lawyer announced that he would appeal. Just days earlier, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, the former head of the Tavush Diocese and leader of the “Holy Struggle” protest movement, organized in protest of the government’s policy on border delimitation with Azerbaijan, was also arrested. In April 2024, he led protests in the northeastern Tavush region against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan, becoming the leader of the “Tavush for the Motherland” movement. Galstanyan organized a protest march from the village of Kirants to Yerevan, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. The archbishop was detained by the National Security Service, along with two priests. According to the authorities, the arrests are part of a large-scale operation to prevent an “attempt to seize power by force.” The Investigative Committee claims that Galstanyan and his associates prepared terrorist attacks, arson, roadblocks and mass riots with the help of about 200 groups of 20-25 people, including former military and police officers.
The conflict coincides with a sharp aggravation of relations between the government and the Armenian Apostolic Church. Prime Minister Pashinyan publicly accused Catholicos Karekin II of “spiritual degradation”, violation of monastic vows and even called on him to resign. In response, the church accused the prime minister of betraying national interests and an anti-church campaign.
The situation became even more tense when the home of billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, known for his support for the church, was searched and he was charged with “inciting a coup”. According to analysts, this is a signal of coordinated actions against circles close to the religious and pro-Russian opposition.
Experts say the arrests may be part of Pashinyan’s strategy to neutralize potential opponents ahead of the 2026 elections. His government has been accused of increasing centralization of power and suppressing opposition voices. Others say the government’s actions are aimed at protecting democratic order and preventing foreign interference, including from Russia.
At the same time, the West has so far reacted with restraint. Despite calling for respect for the rule of law, observers note that the EU and the US will be careful not to put too much pressure on Yerevan, so as not to push it back towards Moscow. Russia has reacted sharply: it has already said it will closely monitor the cases of billionaire Karapetyan and others, insisting that their rights are not violated.
Information: Novaya Gazeta Evropa
