Pashinyan’s actions have sparked serious public dissatisfaction not only within Armenia but also internationally, says Regnum

Armenia is experiencing yet another political scandal. After the arrest of benefactor Samvel Karapetyan and one of the country’s leading opposition figures, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has taken into a two-month custody another archbishop—Primate of Shirak Diocese Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan. All of this is for the same reason—calls to overthrow the current government, Regnum reports.

As noted, Pashinyan’s actions have sparked serious public dissatisfaction not only within Armenia but also internationally. Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan criticized the country’s current leadership, but there is no evidence of preparation for a coup, let alone any engagement of Ajapahyan in such plans. Therefore, many see political motives in Prime Minister Pashinyan’s actions, viewing them as part of a multi-step game.

Since the Armenian Apostolic Church enjoys authority among the public, its voice needs to be silenced—especially considering that parliamentary elections are scheduled in the country in a year. “Pashinyan’s conflict with the Church is part of the conflict between his regime and the conservative part of the population, which painfully perceives the loss of Karabakh, concessions to Azerbaijan, and Pashinyan’s de facto defeatist course,” Nikita Mendkovich, Head of the Eurasian Analytical Club, told Regnum.

On the other hand, the Armenian Apostolic Church has not yet shown significant resistance to Pashinyan, partly due to its own ideology. “The problem is that the Armenian population, judging by everything, is very unorganized, and its identity is weak,” Mendkovich added, noting that there is no active movement among the population to initiate large-scale protests.