Armenian Archbishop Arrested Amid Alleged Coup Plot

Bagrat Galstanyan

Yerevan, Armenia – Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, a prominent leader of anti-government protests in Armenia, has been arrested and remanded in custody for two months on charges of terrorism and attempting to seize power. The arrest marks a significant escalation in the ongoing political tensions between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government and the influential Armenian Apostolic Church.

Galstanyan, the former head of the Tavush Diocese and leader of the opposition "Tavush for the Homeland" movement (also referred to as "Holy Struggle"), was detained on Wednesday. His lawyer, Hovhannes Khudoyan, confirmed the two-month pre-trial detention, stating that an appeal would be filed against the court's decision.

Background of Escalating Tensions

Archbishop Galstanyan has been a vocal critic of Prime Minister Pashinyan, particularly since Armenia's defeat in the 2020 war with Azerbaijan and subsequent territorial concessions. The "Tavush for the Homeland" movement, which began organizing anti-government demonstrations in mid-2024, has channeled widespread public anger over these developments, aiming to unseat the prime minister. The church's leader, Catholicos Garegin II, has also called for Pashinyan's resignation.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Pashinyan unsuccessfully attempted to oust Garegin II, calling for the faithful to elect a new spiritual leader to "liberate" the church, according to AFP.

Allegations of a "Sinister Plan"

Armenia's Investigative Committee claims that Galstanyan and his movement planned "terrorist acts and actions aimed at seizing power." Prime Minister Pashinyan himself announced on Facebook that law enforcement officers had thwarted a "large and sinister plan by the 'criminal-oligarchic clergy' to destabilize the Republic of Armenia and seize power."

According to the Investigative Committee's statement released on June 25, Archbishop Galstanyan has been attempting to seize power since November of last year through methods not provided for by the Constitution. The committee alleges that Galstanyan ruled out achieving power through elections, instead opting for a change in the movement's methodology, moving away from propaganda and persuasion towards "violent actions by small strike groups at a pre-arranged time."

The Investigative Committee further claims that the group, in agreement with several participants, "acquired the necessary means and tools to commit terrorist acts and seize power." They allege that Galstanyan attracted supporters to form "attack groups" to carry out acts aimed at overthrowing the government. Approximately 250 such "attack squads" of 25 people each were reportedly formed, primarily recruiting former military personnel and ex-police officers. These squads, which the committee states have attracted over a thousand individuals since January 2025, were allegedly tasked with causing clashes, blocking roads, paralyzing transport, carrying out explosions, and creating panic and chaos to seize power. Searches are reportedly underway at the homes of Galstanyan and about 30 of his associates.

The Investigative Committee also released audio recordings which they purport reveal Galstanyan and others discussing plans for the alleged coup plot. In total, 14 people have been arrested in connection with the case, in addition to Galstanyan, bringing the total number of accused to 16, with 15 others previously mentioned in the initial reports.

Defense Rejects Accusations

Galstanyan's legal team has vehemently denied the charges. His lawyer, Aram Orbelyan, referencing the Investigative Committee's audio recordings, stated: "Some parts of some audio recordings have been taken or cut. It appears from the published recordings that the conversation is about legal action. In one of the audio recordings, it is directly written: 'This will last a few days, it will end with impeachment.' If it's about impeachment, then there can be no talk of seizing power illegally or by any means not provided for in the Constitution. Moreover, it's unclear how accurate it is, how much it has been edited, or how much has been taken out of context."

Upon his arrest, footage published by News.am showed Galstanyan being taken from his home by masked police officers. As a crowd shouted "Nikol is a traitor," he reportedly said, "Evil, listen carefully – whatever you do, you have very little time left. Hold on, we are coming," in an apparent reference to Prime Minister Pashinyan, AFP reported.

Garnik Danielyan, a lawmaker close to Galstanyan, characterized the raids as "actions of a dictatorial regime" and asserted that the accusations against the archbishop were fabricated.

This development follows the earlier arrest this month of another government opponent, Russian-Armenian real estate billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, who was detained on accusations of making public calls to usurp power, according to Reuters. Russia, a treaty ally of Armenia, has stated that the alleged coup plot is an internal matter for Yerevan, though Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted Moscow's interest in maintaining calm and order.