Bagrat Galstanyan accused of preparing terrorism

PanARMENIAN.Net - Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan has been charged with "preparing acts of terrorism and seizing power," according to his lawyer Sergey Harutyunyan, who described the accusations as politically motivated.

“This is yet another political persecution with a clear goal: to paralyze and weaken the opposition, arrest its active members, and—perhaps—further encroach on the Church,” Harutyunyan told Pastinfo.

He emphasized that no weapons or ammunition were found in the bishop’s residence during the search, according to Aysor.am . “I saw one of the photos published by the Investigative Committee showing a weapon and a document next to it. It’s clear that the item belongs to someone, perhaps a licensed owner,” Harutyunyan said.

On the morning of June 25, law enforcement began searches at the homes of members and supporters of the "Holy Struggle" movement. The Investigative Committee claims the group’s leaders were plotting terrorist acts and a coup in Armenia.

On June 24, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan shared an article titled “The Opposition’s Coup Plan” from civic.am on his Facebook page, writing: “This process will go down in history as the failed coup of traitors.”