Nikol Pashinyan 'will lead liberation of Armenian Apostolic Church'

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has vowed to lead the "liberation" of the Armenian Apostolic Church, escalating tensions between the government and the church's leadership.

In a Facebook statement, Pashinyan accused the church’s governing body—specifically Catholicos Garegin II and Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan—of lacking any genuine connection to Christian values. Galstanyan had led protests in 2024 calling for Pashinyan's resignation.

Tensions rose further on 25 June when Armenia’s Investigative Committee reported that it had foiled a suspected coup attempt allegedly organized by Galstanyan and others.

Fifteen individuals were arrested, including Galstanyan. Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan, the head of the AAC’s Shirak Diocese,was detained two days later.

The AAC condemned Ajapakhyan’s arrest and urged judicial authorities to secure his release.

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