Russian FM urges Armenia to end pressure on clergy amid church-gov't tensions

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed concern over the internal developments in Armenia, particularly the pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC).

Speaking at the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers, Lavrov emphasised that while the situation is Armenia's internal affair, the attacks on the canonical Armenian church are worrying, as reported by Caliber.Az, citing Russian media.

"We would like to see the conflict resolved promptly and for the canonical Armenian Church not to come under attack," Lavrov stated, adding that Russia is interested in the swift stabilisation of the situation in Armenia.

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