Armenian Authorities Arrest Archbishop, Detain Cleric Over Alleged Coup Attempt

Armenia is experiencing a deepening political crisis marked by the arrest of prominent religious leaders accused of attempting to overthrow Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government. Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the Sacred Struggle opposition movement, was detained on terrorism charges related to alleged plans for bombings and infrastructure attacks, which his movement denies. His arrest followed mass protests against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan and calls for Pashinyan's resignation. Shortly after, authorities sought to detain Archbishop Mikael Ajapakhyan, sparking public resistance and further highlighting tensions between the government and the Armenian Apostolic Church. The conflict is exacerbated by Pashinyan's accusations against the church's Catholicos Karekin II, deepening the rift between state and religious institutions amid ongoing political unrest. Internationally, concerns have been raised due to Galstanyan's dual Canadian citizenship, with Canadian officials monitoring the situation.