Politics Coup d'état planned? Opposition leader arrested in Armenia
The security authorities in Armenia have arrested the politically influential Archbishop of Tavush, Bagrat Galstanyan, on charges of an attempted coup d'état.
25.06.2025, 12:53
SDA
"The security forces have prevented a large-scale and insidious plan by the criminal oligarchy to destabilize the situation in the Republic of Armenia and seize power," commented head of government Nikol Pashinyan on Facebook about the incident in the South Caucasus republic.
Masked police officers took Galstanyan away from his residence in the morning, as reported by Armenian media. In addition to Galstanyan, other clergymen and opposition politicians were reportedly arrested, including businessman Samvel Karapetyan, who has Russian citizenship. Several houses were also searched. The Kremlin was cautious about Karapetyan's arrest and emphasized that Moscow was interested in Armenia's stability.
Investigators accuse Galstanyan and his supporters of preparing terrorist attacks. The formation of around 200 shock troops of 25 men each had been planned. Among other things, several tapped phone calls by Galstanjan are said to prove the planned coup d'état. The opposition described such a plan as a forgery. It is said that the action is intended to silence Pashinyan's critics.
Situation in Armenia tense after defeat over Nagorno-Karabakh
Galstanyan is the leader of the "Holy Struggle" movement, which aims to overthrow head of government Pashinyan. Last year, he was already considered the spokesman for the sometimes violent protests in the country against Pashinyan.
Armenia is in a serious political crisis after losing the dispute with oil-rich Azerbaijan over the conflict region of Nagorno-Karabakh in the fall of 2023, forcing more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee from there to the motherland.
In addition, Baku is maintaining military pressure on Yerevan and demanding more territory. Pashinyan has indicated a willingness to hand over control of several border villages to the neighboring country in return for a peace treaty. Many Armenians strictly reject territorial concessions to their perceived arch-enemy neighbor.
