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Armenian authorities arrested Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and several of his supporters, accusing them of orchestrating a coup attempt to overthrow the government. The National Security Service (NSS) conducted searches across the country and detained individuals suspected of being involved in the plot. The
Investigative Committee alleged that Galstanyan and his associates had been preparing to seize power by violent means since November 2024. Authorities allege that the group planned to kill civilians, incite unrest, and paralyze the country’s security apparatus.
Audio recordings purporting to capture discussions about the plot have been released, although their authenticity has not been independently verified.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has condemned the alleged plot, calling it a scheme by a “criminal-oligarchic cleric.” This is the second high-profile arrest this month, after Russian-Armenian billionaire Samvel Karapetyan was detained on similar charges.
Galstanyan, a prominent figure in the Armenian Apostolic Church and former head of the Tavush Diocese, has been a vocal critic of Pashinyan's government. In 2024, he led mass protests against territorial concessions to Azerbaijan, gathering tens of thousands of people in Yerevan who demanded the prime minister's resignation. Despite their initial success, the movement was criticized for lacking a clear strategy for regime change.
While being held in custody, Galstanyan dismissed the coup charges, declaring: “Listen carefully, you devil. You have very little time. Wait a little longer, we will come.”
His lawyer, Sergei Harutyunyan, claimed that no weapons or incriminating evidence were found during a search of Galstanyan's apartment and labeled the charges as politically motivated.
Opposition parties, including the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (Dashnaktsutyun), have condemned the arrests as an attempt to suppress dissent ahead of parliamentary elections in 2026. They claim the government is trying to silence critics and consolidate power.
Armenia's traditional ally, Russia, reacted quickly to the arrests, describing the situation as an internal matter while stressing the importance of stability in the region.
Pashinyan has repeatedly accused Moscow of planning and orchestrating coup attempts in Armenia with the aim of destabilizing the country's political situation. The Kremlin has denied any such attempts, while the Armenian government has yet to provide any evidence of Russia's possible involvement in anti-government movements in Armenia.
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