Authorities in Armenia arrested Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan on Wednesday. They also detained 13 others for allegedly planning to overthrow the government. The arrest of Galstanyan, a leading Christian figure, has sparked political and religious tensions in the country.

The Investigative Committee announced that it had charged Galstanyan and 15 others. Officials said they had gathered weapons and equipment “to commit a terrorist attack and seize power.” So far, the authorities have arrested 14 people. They have not released the full list of names.

Pashinyan Accuses Church Figures of Conspiracy

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan responded on Telegram. He claimed the government had stopped a major threat. He described it as a “large and sinister plan by the ‘criminal-oligarchic clergy’” to take control of Armenia.

The arrests come as Pashinyan faces growing opposition from the Armenian Apostolic Church. Tensions between the two sides have been rising for weeks. The conflict has become sharper as the country prepares for elections next year.

Church Has Criticised Pashinyan Over Military Losses

In the past, senior religious leaders urged Pashinyan to resign. They blamed him for Armenia’s defeats in battles with Azerbaijan.

These tensions go back to the 2020 war, when Armenia lost territory in Nagorno-Karabakh. In 2023, Azerbaijan captured the entire region, ending decades of ethnic Armenian control.

The loss angered many citizens and sparked street protests.

Galstanyan Led Protests Demanding Pashinyan’s Resignation

Last summer, Archbishop Galstanyan led several days of protests. He and his supporters demanded that Pashinyan step down. The movement gained traction by tapping into public frustration over military failures and territorial concessions.

Now, authorities claim that Galstanyan went further. They accuse him of recruiting more than 1,000 people, including ex-soldiers and former police. The plan, officials say, was to block roads, disrupt traffic, spark violence, and cut off internet access. The goal, they allege, was to destabilise the country and take power by force.

Government Shares Evidence of Alleged Plot

Investigators released audio recordings. They say the tapes contain conversations between Galstanyan and others, where they discuss the alleged coup.

They also shared a photo showing firearms and other weapons. These were reportedly found during searches.

Galstanyan’s Lawyer Denies the Claims

Galstanyan’s legal team says the charges are false. His lawyer, Sergei Arutyunyan, told reporters, “the government is seeking to create a smokescreen and simulate that they’ve caught a terrorist group.”

He argued that the authorities are unfairly targeting his client to distract from other problems.

Billionaire Karapetyan Also Detained

Just days earlier, Armenian police arrested Samvel Karapetyan, a Russian-Armenian billionaire. He had accused the government of attacking the church.

He also said he would “act in his own way” to stop the authorities, according to state news agency Armenpress. Officials then charged him with publicly calling for a power grab. However, Karapetyan’s lawyers say he has done nothing wrong.

Political Stakes High Ahead of 2026 Elections

Pashinyan rose to power in 2018 through mass protests. But his popularity has fallen sharply due to Armenia’s defeat in the 2020 war. He now faces elections in June 2026. Meanwhile, he is trying to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan.

However, tensions between the two nations remain. Ceasefire violations have increased this year, adding to instability in the region.