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.

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