Arrest of Archbishop Galstanyan Marks Escalating Tension in Armenia

On June 25, 2025, Armenian authorities arrested Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, a prominent leader of the Armenian Apostolic Church and head of the Sacred Struggle opposition movement, on charges of plotting to overthrow the government. The Investigative Committee accused him of planning bombings, arson, and traffic disruptions aimed at destabilizing the nation.

This arrest marks a significant escalation in the ongoing conflict between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's administration and the Armenian Apostolic Church, highlighting deepening divisions over national identity, territorial concessions, and the role of religious institutions in political affairs.

Background on Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan

Born on May 20, 1971, in Gyumri, Armenia, Bagrat Galstanyan has been a significant figure within the Armenian Apostolic Church. He served as the Primate of the Armenian Diocese of Canada from 2003 to 2013 before returning to Armenia to lead the Diocese of Tavush. In 2024, Galstanyan emerged as a central figure in protests against Prime Minister Pashinyan's decision to cede control of four border villages to Azerbaijan. He led the "Tavush for the Homeland" movement, organizing marches and rallies demanding Pashinyan's resignation.

Government's Allegations

The Investigative Committee accused Galstanyan of planning bombings, arson, and traffic disruptions aimed at destabilizing the nation. Authorities claim over 1,000 individuals, mainly ex-soldiers and police, were recruited to block roads, incite violence, and disrupt communications. Audio recordings allegedly documenting the planning were released.

Legal Proceedings

Galstanyan's lawyer, Sergei Harutyunyan, dismissed the charges as baseless, noting that searches of Galstanyan's residence yielded only common protest smoke bombs.

Related Arrests

Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan, a church supporter, was also detained for allegedly advocating for a coup. Authorities conducted over 90 searches, detaining 13 others and seizing weapons and ammunition.

Quotes

Prime Minister Pashinyan claimed the arrests uncover a plot by a "criminal oligarch clergy" to destabilize the nation.

The Armenian Apostolic Church responded, stating that Pashinyan's "anti-church behavior threatens statehood and unity."

Implications

The arrest underscores the escalating tensions between the Armenian government and the Armenian Apostolic Church, with the Church accusing the government of undermining its influence and the government accusing the Church of political meddling.

These developments occur amid political tensions linked to Armenia's territorial losses in the 2020 conflict with Azerbaijan and the 2023 fall of Nagorno-Karabakh, which provoked domestic unrest.

Conclusion

The arrest of Archbishop Galstanyan represents a pivotal moment in Armenia's political landscape, reflecting deep-seated conflicts over national identity, territorial integrity, and the interplay between religious institutions and state authority. As the nation approaches the June 2026 parliamentary elections, the ramifications of this event are likely to resonate across Armenia's socio-political spectrum.