Armenia Prime Minister Foils Coup Plot Involving Senior Cleric
Security forces arrest Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan for alleged attempted coup, further escalating tensions between the Armenian government and the Apostolic Church.
Yerevan: Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has claimed that security forces have foiled a 'sinister' coup plot involving a senior cleric.
This development comes amidst ongoing tensions with the powerful Apostolic Church.
The conflict began after Catholicos Garegin II called for Pashinyan's resignation following Armenia's military defeat in 2020 by Azerbaijan over the disputed Karabakh region.
The situation escalated further when Baku took full control of the region in 2023, leading Pashinyan to push for an unpopular peace deal with Azerbaijan that would renounce Yerevan's claims to the area.
The region is seen as ancestral homeland by many Armenians.According to Pashinyan, law enforcement officers have thwarted a large-scale and dangerous plan by 'criminal-oligarchic clergy' aimed at destabilizing the situation in Armenia and seizing power.
Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, a prominent church figure, was arrested for allegedly orchestrating the coup.
The Investigative Committee has accused Galstanyan of attempting to change power through unconstitutional means since November 2024.The Apostolic Church holds significant influence in Armenia, which adopted Christianity as its state religion in the fourth century.
Galstanyan leads the opposition movement Sacred Struggle and has been vocal about Pashinyan's handling of territorial concessions to Azerbaijan.
His lawyer, Ruben Melikyan, has condemned the case against his client as politically motivated.The Investigative Committee claimed it arrested 14 individuals and launched criminal proceedings against 16 suspects following raids on over 90 premises connected to Galstanyan's movement.
It also released recordings suggesting plans for terrorism and power seizure, with one clip stating, 'We either kill or we die.' Galstanyan's legal team expects him to be charged with terrorism and attempted coup.This recent development further intensifies the conflict between Pashinyan and the Apostolic Church, which has been ongoing since Garegin II called for his resignation.
The loss of Karabakh has divided Armenia, as Azerbaijan demands significant concessions for lasting peace.
Earlier this month, Pashinyan accused Garegin II of having an illegitimate child, escalating tensions even further.Archbishop Galstanyan temporarily stepped down from his religious post to challenge Pashinyan for prime minister but is ineligible due to his dual Armenian-Canadian citizenship.
Despite opposition and calls for excommunication, Pashinyan's grip on power remains unshaken, bolstered by support from various political parties and the parliament.
This development comes amidst ongoing tensions with the powerful Apostolic Church.
The conflict began after Catholicos Garegin II called for Pashinyan's resignation following Armenia's military defeat in 2020 by Azerbaijan over the disputed Karabakh region.
The situation escalated further when Baku took full control of the region in 2023, leading Pashinyan to push for an unpopular peace deal with Azerbaijan that would renounce Yerevan's claims to the area.
The region is seen as ancestral homeland by many Armenians.According to Pashinyan, law enforcement officers have thwarted a large-scale and dangerous plan by 'criminal-oligarchic clergy' aimed at destabilizing the situation in Armenia and seizing power.
Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, a prominent church figure, was arrested for allegedly orchestrating the coup.
The Investigative Committee has accused Galstanyan of attempting to change power through unconstitutional means since November 2024.The Apostolic Church holds significant influence in Armenia, which adopted Christianity as its state religion in the fourth century.
Galstanyan leads the opposition movement Sacred Struggle and has been vocal about Pashinyan's handling of territorial concessions to Azerbaijan.
His lawyer, Ruben Melikyan, has condemned the case against his client as politically motivated.The Investigative Committee claimed it arrested 14 individuals and launched criminal proceedings against 16 suspects following raids on over 90 premises connected to Galstanyan's movement.
It also released recordings suggesting plans for terrorism and power seizure, with one clip stating, 'We either kill or we die.' Galstanyan's legal team expects him to be charged with terrorism and attempted coup.This recent development further intensifies the conflict between Pashinyan and the Apostolic Church, which has been ongoing since Garegin II called for his resignation.
The loss of Karabakh has divided Armenia, as Azerbaijan demands significant concessions for lasting peace.
Earlier this month, Pashinyan accused Garegin II of having an illegitimate child, escalating tensions even further.Archbishop Galstanyan temporarily stepped down from his religious post to challenge Pashinyan for prime minister but is ineligible due to his dual Armenian-Canadian citizenship.
Despite opposition and calls for excommunication, Pashinyan's grip on power remains unshaken, bolstered by support from various political parties and the parliament.
