Armenian authorities have arrested Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, accusing the prominent cleric of orchestrating a plot to seize power, in what Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan described as a foiled coup attempt by “criminal-oligarchic clergy.”

Coup Accusations and Arrest

On Wednesday, Armenia’s Investigative Committee announced the arrest of Archbishop Galstanyan, alleging he and his associates “acquired the means and tools necessary to commit a terrorist attack and seize power.” Authorities claim the group recruited over 1,000 people, mainly ex-soldiers and police officers, to paralyze the country by blocking roads, inciting violence, and shutting down internet networks.

Audio recordings released by investigators allegedly feature the cleric and his allies discussing the operation’s logistics. Galstanyan’s lawyer could not be reached, and the cleric has not publicly commented on the charges.

Government’s Response and Political Context

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said the authorities had disrupted “a large and sinister plan” and blamed entrenched networks of power, referring to them as part of a “criminal-oligarchic clergy.” The arrest follows the detention earlier this month of Samvel Karapetyan, a Russian-Armenian billionaire also accused of trying to usurp power.

Galstanyan had been a visible leader of anti-government protests last year, tapping into national anger after Armenia’s defeat in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh war and the 2023 loss of the region to Azerbaijan. Demonstrations demanded Pashinyan’s resignation, accusing him of betrayal and weakness in the face of Azerbaijani advances.

Rising Tensions and Russian Reactions

Tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan remain high, with increasing ceasefire violations reported this year. Pashinyan is currently pursuing a peace treaty with Baku, a move that has drawn both domestic criticism and political friction.

The Kremlin has commented cautiously, with spokesman Dmitry Peskov calling the incident an “internal matter” but emphasizing Russia’s interest in stability.