Archbishop's Arrest in Armenia Deepens Political Crisis, Sparks Diplomatic Clash with Russia

Armenia has been plunged into a deepening political and religious crisis after the arrest of a high-ranking cleric. This move has ignited a diplomatic firestorm with Russia and drawn fierce domestic condemnation. A Yerevan court has ordered Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan, the influential Head of the Shirak Diocese, into two months of pre-trial detention on charges of making public calls to usurp power. The arrest is part of a broader government crackdown that has seen 15 members of the opposition "Holy Struggle" movement detained over an alleged coup plot.

The crackdown has sparked fierce opposition within Armenia. The Armenian Apostolic Church condemned the decision as "political persecution" and a "manifestation of a personal vendetta" by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Critics allege the case is politically motivated, pointing to a 2024 incident reported by OC Media in its article "Bucking precedent, Armenia orders Archbishop Ajapahyan into custody over coup calls," where authorities declined to prosecute the archbishop for a similar statement. Following a tense standoff where his supporters initially blocked law enforcement, Ajapahyan voluntarily surrendered to authorities.

The internal turmoil has rapidly spilled onto the international stage, straining relations with Moscow. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed "grave concern" over what he termed "unjustified attacks" on the "canonical, thousand-year-old Armenian Apostolic Church," a traditional pillar of Armenian society. Speaking after a Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) meeting, which Armenia boycotted, Lavrov called for a swift resolution based on respect for the rights of believers.

Yerevan issued a swift and pointed rebuke. Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan dismissed Lavrov's concerns, stating, "There is no fight by the authorities against the church in Armenia." Mirzoyan countered that Lavrov was perhaps referring to "certain clergymen interfering in Armenian politics" or their alleged participation in coup attempts, according to Armenian law enforcement. He concluded with a stark warning, urging Russian officials and media "to refrain from interfering in Armenia's domestic affairs and internal politics."

In stark contrast to Russia's position, France has signaled its support for the Armenian government. Following a call with Prime Minister Pashinyan, French President Emmanuel Macron expressed "France's solidarity in the face of attempts to destabilize Armenian democracy," an apparent endorsement of the government's narrative. The divergent responses from Moscow and Paris underscore the complex geopolitical pressures on Yerevan as it navigates a high-stakes power struggle between the state and one of the nation's most powerful institutions.

Photo: Wikipedia