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
Analyst on Lavra pantheon: Zelensky wants to strike Church where it hurts
According to Bondarenko, there is no need to place the pantheon specifically in the Lavra – the president is driven by cynicism and a desire to hurt believers.
Archaeologists discover 4th-century Christian basilica in Italy
Italian authorities decided to revise a residential development plan in order to preserve the archaeological find from the Late Antique period.
EU accused of ignoring persecution of Armenian Church
Nikol Pashinyan accuses senior clergy of supporting the violent overthrow of the government.
Ostapenko: It is outrageous that UOC built new facilities in Lavra
The head of the reserve claimed that the structures built by the UOC in the Lower Lavra “outraged all of Ukrainian society,” while acknowledging that the buildings are in good condition.
Vandal in France smashes Catholic church, using cross as crowbar
The perpetrator desecrated Christian symbols and broke into antique confessionals dating from the early 19th century.
Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra brethren celebrate Nativity of John the Baptist
UOC Chancellor Metropolitan Anthony led the festal Liturgy at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra.