BREAKING: A court in Armenia has sentenced prominent Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan to two years in prison for calling for regime change, a decision condemned by the Armenian Apostolic Church as politically motivated. This urgent ruling has escalated tensions between the church and the government led by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, sparking widespread outcry and concern over political repression.
The sentencing, delivered on Friday, follows a series of accusations against clerics for allegedly inciting violent coups. Ajapahyan’s arrest in June 2023 stemmed from comments made in a previous interview, where he suggested the need for a coup in Armenia. Despite the prosecutor’s office initially stating that these remarks did not warrant criminal punishment, Ajapahyan was detained after making similar statements this year.
In a statement following the verdict, the Armenian Apostolic Church labeled Ajapahyan’s conviction as an act of “political vengeance.” The church’s stance is significant amid an ongoing standoff with Pashinyan’s government, which is grappling with mounting pressure as parliamentary elections approach next year.
Moreover, this judicial action comes at a crucial time for Pashinyan, who is under domestic scrutiny to finalize a peace agreement with Azerbaijan. In August 2023, a US-brokered peace text was signed in Washington, D.C., aimed at resolving long-standing conflicts between the two South Caucasus neighbors. However, major challenges remain, including Azerbaijan’s demands for constitutional changes from Armenia.
Another key figure in this unfolding drama is Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, who is currently in pre-trial detention after leading street protests against Pashinyan last year. His detention further highlights the ongoing friction between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the government.
As this situation develops, analysts warn that the implications could extend beyond the church’s influence, potentially affecting Armenia’s political stability and its foreign relations. Observers are keenly watching how this legal battle may shape the upcoming political landscape and the prospects for peace in the region.
The international community is urged to pay close attention to these events, as they not only reflect internal strife within Armenia but also the broader geopolitical dynamics at play in the South Caucasus.
Stay tuned for more updates on this developing story as further details emerge.
