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15h ago

Armenia Arrests Archbishop in Alleged Coup Plot as Church-State Rift Deepens

The arrests follow claims by security services that the archbishop enlisted former soldiers to block roads, shut down internet service, stage bombings, assassinate opponents, destabilize the government.

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Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan addresses his supporters during a protest against Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Yerevan, Armenia June 9, 2024. Vahram Baghdasaryan/Photolure via REUTERS/File photo
Archbishop of the Armenian Apostolic Church Bagrat Galstanyan is seen being taken away by Armenian authorities. Galstanyan holds citizenship in both Armenia and Canada.

Overview

  • Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and at least 13 associates were detained on June 25 after Armenia’s Investigative Committee charged them with plotting to overthrow the government.
  • The committee alleges Galstanyan recruited over 1,000 former soldiers and police officers to carry out road blockades, communications shutdowns, bombings and assassinations.
  • Authorities conducted more than 90 searches nationwide, seizing firearms, ammunition and publishing audio recordings purportedly of coup discussions.
  • Galstanyan’s lawyer and opposition parties denounce the charges as fabricated and accuse the government of using security measures to silence dissent.
  • The crackdown marks a sharp escalation in Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s confrontation with the Armenian Apostolic Church following military defeats to Azerbaijan.