Armenian bishop arrested for attempted coup plot
Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan speaking at an opposition rally. Photo: Alexander Patrin/ITAR-TASS/IMAGO
On June 25, 2025, during mass searches and arrests in Armenia, the head of the Tavush Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, was arrested. The court detained him for two months. This was reported by News.am.
Bagrat Galstanyan is the leader of the opposition movement "Sacred Struggle" and an influential figure in the Armenian Apostolic Church. Protests led by Bagrat began in the spring of 2024 after the signing of the Armenian-Azerbaijani agreement, which provided for the transfer of disputed territories. The "Sacred Struggle" movement united those dissatisfied with Prime Minister Pashinyan's policies and accused the authorities of violating national interests and making concessions to Baku.
Searches were conducted in the homes of movement supporters, as well as in the residence of Archbishop Bagrat. A total of 16 arrest petitions were submitted to the court.
The Investigative Committee stated that movement participants planned a violent overthrow of the government and terrorist attacks. According to the investigation, former police officers and military personnel were involved in the preparations and were expected to form combat groups to carry out simultaneous attacks on infrastructure targets.
As evidence, audio recordings of the alleged discussions have been released. The opposition and Archbishop Bagrat's defense claim that the recordings were edited and cannot serve as a basis for criminal prosecution.
The arrest of a high-ranking clergy representative caused a wide public outcry. In modern Armenian history, there has been no precedent for a clergyman of such a high rank to be detained.
The situation is unfolding against the backdrop of a prolonged conflict between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church. Pashinyan accuses the Catholicos of All Armenians, Garegin II, of involvement in the conspiracy and violating church vows. The Catholicos himself denies these accusations.
Earlier, the UOJ reported that the Church of Armenia criticized the authorities for anti-church rhetoric.
Read also
"Stigmatization based on faith": DESS reprimands TSN for story about Muslims
DESS criticized TSN because "the investigation in the "1+1" news story immediately took on an accusatory bias, and the accused themselves were not given a voice."
His Beatitude Onuphry: Through fasting, man returns to Paradise
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry reminded the faithful about Adam's fall and urged them to repent before Great Lent.
Archbishop of Greece speaks about his successor and the Church's future
On the occasion of the 18th anniversary of his leadership of the Greek Church, the Primate gave an interview in which he spoke about relations with the state, the situation in Sinai, and the challenges of the modern world.
In Barcelona, Sagrada Familia’s central tower completed after 144 years
In Barcelona, a glass cross was installed on the Sagrada Familia temple, completing the central tower and bringing the building to the height of 172.5 meters.
On Forgiveness Sunday, His Beatitude Onuphry celebrates Liturgy at Lavra
During Cheesefare Week, His Beatitude Metropolitan Onuphry celebrated the Liturgy at the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra, addressed the flock with a sermon, and offered prayers for peace and the preservation of Ukraine's people.
In Hnidyn, St. Nicholas Church of UOC damaged by shelling
As a result of shelling, the St. Nicholas Church of the UOC in the village of Hnidyn of the Boryspil Eparchy was damaged.