Armenian Archbishop Imprisoned on Political Charges

The Yerevan court sentenced Mikael Ajapakhyan, the archbishop of the Armenian Apostolic Church and head of the Shirak diocese, to two years in prison for calling to seize power. This was reported by Zamin.uz.

According to the Armenian press, the prosecutor requested two and a half years of imprisonment, but the court imposed a lighter sentence. According to the charges, the clergyman opposed the government’s policy and publicly called for the seizure of power.

Mikael Ajapakhyan denied the charges, considering the case unfounded. His defenders emphasized that the trial had political motives and are preparing to file an appeal.

On June 26, the Armenian Prosecutor General’s Office announced the opening of a criminal case against the archbishop. He was accused of calling for the violent seizure of power and the overthrow of the constitutional order through mass media and information and communication technologies.

The next day, security forces attempted to detain the clergyman, resulting in a confrontation with church representatives. Subsequently, Ajapakhyan voluntarily went to the Investigative Committee and was arrested on June 28.

At the same time, it was reported that the security service also detained Bagrat Galstanyan, the archbishop of the Tavush diocese, suspected of attempting a coup. The opposition views these actions as aimed at suppressing critics of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

The imprisonment of the church leader has sparked new debates on state and religion relations, political activism, and freedom of speech. So far, the court verdict has not come into legal force, and the parties may request a review of the decision through the appeals process.

Meanwhile, until the charges are proven in court, the archbishop is not considered guilty.