The human rights group Forum for Religious Freedom – Europe (FOREF Europe) has reported that the Armenian government, led by the Prime Minister, has escalated its campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church.
According to the report, these developments signal grave violations of freedom of belief and religion in a country that proudly presents itself as the first nation to adopt Christianity as a state religion, Sputnik Armenia reports.
The document details that chaplaincy service in Armenia’s armed forces was effectively ceased, with pressure applied to military chaplains to publicly oppose the Catholicos and support a government-backed “church reform agenda.”
The report pays particular attention to a criminal case initiated by Armenia’s Investigative Committee targeting several senior clerics, who have been subjected to travel bans, preventing them from attending a scheduled Bishops’ Assembly in Austria.
FOREF Europe characterizes the investigation, launched under charges of "obstructing the execution of a judicial act", as a politically motivated interference in the Church’s internal governance.
The report notes that four bishops remain in custody on what it calls fabricated charges. Armenian Church benefactor and businessman Samvel Karapetyan has also come under pressure. At the same time, the authorities have openly demanded the resignation of Catholicos Karekin II, accusing him of illegal actions and advocating for the restructuring of the Church.
“Defenders warn that these actions represent unprecedented state intrusion into church autonomy, reminiscent of Soviet-era tactics to subjugate religious institutions. This conflict risks undermining Armenia’s national identity, cultural heritage, and stability amid regional tensions,” the report states.
Jan Figel, FOREF Europe President and Slovak politician, said: “We are witnessing unlawful actions against religious freedom and the Constitution in Armenia… The campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church is legally, politically, and ethically unacceptable. This harms not only the Church but the entire nation.”
FOREF Europe strongly condemned recent developments in Armenia as direct violations of religious liberty and the right to belief. The group called on Armenian authorities to cease interference in ecclesiastical affairs, release detained clergy, and reinstate spiritual support within state institutions.
The organization stressed that the international community, including democratic institutions and religious leaders, must respond urgently to prevent further erosion of religious freedom in the Caucasus.
Currently in detention are Sacred Struggle movement leader Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan; Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan (Shirak Diocese); Bishop Mkrtich (Aragatsotn Diocese); and Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan (Chancellor of the Mother See).
On January 4, 2026, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and ten bishops advocating for church leadership reform announced the launch of “reforms” within the Armenian Apostolic Church. They signed a joint document forming a coordination council to oversee the reform process.
