International UOC lawyer becomes defender of the Armenian Church
Robert Amsterdam. Photo: UOJ
International human rights lawyer Robert Amsterdam, who represents the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, is now also acting on behalf of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Despite threats from the Armenian authorities to ban his entry into the country, the attorney is set to arrive in Yerevan on August 11, 2025, according to the website of the law firm Amsterdam & Partners.
Amsterdam now represents the Armenian Apostolic Church, whose senior hierarchs in recent months have been subjected to public attacks, legal persecution, and blatant state interference in church affairs by the authorities.
The press service of the law firm reports that security forces have targeted the Church’s top clergy, including an attempted arrest of Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin and the politically motivated detention of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan.
Amsterdam & Partners notes that if Armenia bars Amsterdam from entry, it will constitute a serious breach of its obligations under international human rights law. Article 14 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights guarantees the right to a fair trial, including the right to a lawyer of one’s own choosing.
It should be recalled that Amsterdam earlier told U.S. Republicans that Ukraine must ensure freedom of religion.
Read also
Hollywood Catholic actors remind of the spiritual meaning of Great Lent
Mark Wahlberg i Jonathan Roumie recorded a video message calling for prayer at the beginning of Great Lent.
MP Huz discusses seizure of UOC monastery in Myltsi with Volyn RMA head
Huz demanded that the authorities "resolve the situation" with the St. Nicholas Monastery of the Volodymyr-Volynsky Eparchy of the UOC.
Lviv authorities to allocate UAH 300,000 for UGCC church damaged by shelling
The Lviv City Council will finance the restoration of stained glass windows of the Uniate church after damage sustained as a result of a missile strike.
Yelets Icon of Mother of God venerated in ancient monastery of Chernihiv
Metropolitan Clement celebrated the Liturgy at the Yelets Monastery of Chernihiv on the day of veneration of the monastery's main shrine.
In Korsun-Shevchenkivskyi, OCU supporters convert seized church into warehouse
In the Cherkasy region, Dumenko's supporters set up a clothing warehouse in the Church of the Savior Not Made by Hands, which previously belonged to the UOC.
Ukraine should allow same-sex marriages for EU accession, European Commission
Brussels has stated that it expects Kyiv to adopt a law on legal recognition of homosexual unions.