Premier Christian News says crackdown on free speech and on Church in Armenia is unacceptable

Armenia has imprisoned half of its archbishops as part of a widening crackdown on dissent, Premier Christian News writes.

As noted, Nikol Pashinyan, facing deep public discontent, has also fined citizens for social media posts, detained critics, and confiscated church property. He has publicly called for the deposition of Catholicos Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

“Armenian Christians are under growing pressure,” said Lord Jackson of Peterborough, Vice Chair of the APPG on Freedom of Religion or Belief.

According to him, this crackdown on free speech and on the Church is unacceptable.

“Friends of Armenia must say so clearly: the Armenian people, and their ancient Christian heritage, deserve protection not persecution from their own government,” Jackson said.

As noted, the situation poses a stark threat to worshippers whose faith in the Armenian Apostolic Church dates back more than 2,000 years, and raises concerns about religious freedom and human rights in the country.