Catholicos and Robert Amsterdam discuss Church persecution in Armenia

Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II received international lawyer Robert Amsterdam at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. Photo: panorama.am

On February 11, 2026, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II received international lawyer Robert Amsterdam at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin; the sides discussed the situation surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church, Arminfo reports.

During the meeting, they reviewed court proceedings involving detained clergymen, as well as the case of Samvel Karapetyan, head of the Tashir Group of Companies. The interlocutors discussed the legal aspects of these cases and issues related to observing the principles of legality and justice.

Special attention was given to the protection of human rights and guarantees of due process. The need to ensure transparency of proceedings and to safeguard the rights of the accused was emphasized.

The report notes that since May 2025, the country has been experiencing a standoff between the authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church. A number of clergy remain in custody, and Samvel Karapetyan, previously arrested, was transferred to house arrest in January by a decision of an appellate court.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Pashinyan compared Armenian Church clergy to Islamists.

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