Purge in Armenian Church intensifies: Number of detained clerics reaches 14 UPDATED

October 16, 09:29

In Armenia, the head of the chancery of the Aragatsotn Diocese of the Armenian Church, Priest Garegin Arsenyan, has been arrested, said the lawyer Ara Zograbyan.

The lawyer stated that Priest Arsenyan has been arrested for a period of one month, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

October 15, 21:20

In Armenia, security forces detained 13 clergymen from the Aragatsotn Diocese. Among them is Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan, a statement by the Armenian Apostolic Church reads.  

20:55 

Armenia’s Investigative Committee has released details regarding the detention of a group of clergymen from the Aragatsotn region, highlighting a widening investigation within the Armenian Apostolic Church.

According to Armenian media, citing the Committee’s press service, one clergyman and two diocesan officials — the chief accountant and the head of administration — have been taken into custody.

The Committee stated that the arrests are part of a preliminary investigation into alleged coercion to attend assemblies, obstruction of voting rights, and embezzlement of property on a particularly large scale. A series of searches has been carried out in connection with the case.

More than two dozen searches reportedly uncovered documents and electronic storage devices relevant to the investigation, substantial amounts of cash, numerous gold and silver jewellery items, fuel vouchers registered under several commercial entities, and other items of interest.

Based on evidence collected during extensive investigative and procedural actions, criminal proceedings have been opened against O.P. under Article 149, Part 2, Clause 4, and Article 236, Part 3 of the Armenian Criminal Code. Proceedings against A.A. have been opened under Article 46-236, Part 3, and against N.A. under Article 256, Part 2, Clauses 2 and 3. All three individuals remain in custody.

The preliminary investigation is ongoing.

13:10

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has commented on the arrest of the head of the Aragatsotn Diocese and five other priests in response to journalists’ inquiries.

“In the framework of a criminal case regarding the obstruction or coercion of the holding of a meeting or participation in it, committed through the use of authority, official powers, or material interest, the necessary procedural and evidentiary actions are being carried out,” the Committee stated, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media.

The Committee also noted that it will issue an additional statement later.

11:39

Six clergy members of the Aragatsotn Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church have been detained at once, lawyer Ara Zograbyan has said.

Currently, in addition to Priest Paren, five other clergymen from the Aragatsotn Diocese, along with several civilians, are being held at the Armenian Investigative Committee, Caliber.Az reports, citing Armenian media.

11:17

Another clergyman, Priest Paren, has been detained by law enforcement agencies in Armenia.

As reported by Caliber.Az, the head of the information system of Etchmiadzin, Priest Yesayi Artenyan, informed Armenian media about the incident.

He also stated that a search had previously been conducted at the home of another clergyman — the head of the Aragatsotn Diocese, Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan — who is now being taken to the investigative department.

According to Armenian media reports, Bishop Proshyan is the nephew of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II.

Notably, the current crisis in Armenia centres on a deepening rift between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the AAC, a powerful institution with significant cultural and political influence in Armenian society. The conflict intensified following Armenia’s territorial concessions to Azerbaijan, particularly the return of four border villages in May 2024, which sparked widespread protests led by the AAC and its senior clergy, including Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, head of the “Holy Struggle” opposition movement. These protests have evolved into broader demands for Pashinyan’s resignation, accusing his government of betraying national interests.

The Armenian government’s response has been severe, with the National Security Service conducting raids and arrests targeting prominent clerics and opposition figures, particularly Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, with charges of terrorism, coup plot. The government also conducted over 90 searches, detaining at least 14 individuals, including opposition activists.

Pashinyan publicly accused the AAC of corruption and moral violations, notably targeting Catholicos Garegin II, the church’s leader, with allegations of breaching celibacy vows and calling for his resignation. 

By Khagan Isayev