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An Armenian court sentenced a prominent archbishop to two years in prison Friday after convicting him of inciting regime change, escalating tensions between the country's ancient church and the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, 62, was found guilty of calling for a coup against Pashinyan's administration, according to Armenian news outlet CivilNet. The case stems from remarks the cleric made during a 2023 interview in which he said "there was a need for a coup in Armenia."
Initially, prosecutors determined those statements did not merit criminal charges. However, after Ajapahyan made similar comments this year, authorities arrested him in June and proceeded with prosecution.
The Armenian Apostolic Church, one of the world's oldest Christian denominations, denounced the verdict as "political vengeance" and condemned what it characterized as a politically motivated trial. The church has maintained its opposition to the government throughout the legal proceedings.
The confrontation represents a broader clash between the thousand-year-old religious institution and Pashinyan's government that has seen multiple high-ranking clerics face arrest. Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, who organized street demonstrations against the prime minister last year, remains in pre-trial detention on criminal charges related to alleged coup attempts.
The religious-political standoff comes as Pashinyan navigates significant domestic and international pressures ahead of parliamentary elections scheduled for next year. His government is simultaneously working to finalize a peace agreement with Azerbaijan that could end decades of territorial conflict between the neighboring South Caucasus nations.
While negotiators signed a U.S.-brokered peace framework in Washington this August, substantial obstacles remain before a formal treaty can be concluded. Azerbaijan has demanded Armenia amend its constitution as a precondition for any final agreement, adding complexity to the diplomatic process.
The arrests of prominent church leaders have added another dimension to Armenia's political landscape as the country grapples with both internal governance challenges and regional security concerns stemming from its long-running dispute with Azerbaijan.
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