https://sputnikglobe.com/20250704/crackdown-on-clergy-signals-power-grab-in-armenia--analyst-1122394265.html
Crackdown on Clergy Signals Future Power Grab in Armenia – Analyst
Crackdown on Clergy Signals Future Power Grab in Armenia – Analyst
Sputnik International
The arrest of Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan and mounting pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church are part of a broader crackdown by Nikol Pashinyan’s government, the chairman of Armenia’s Political Scientists Association, Migran Shahzadyan, told Sputnik.
2025-07-04T08:42+0000
2025-07-04T08:42+0000
2025-07-10T20:22+0000
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He emphasized the historic role of the Church as the unifying force in Armenian identity, especially before 1918. Even today, it remains the most respected institution in the country. Its stance on national issues is increasingly clashing with the government’s policies. Shahzadeyan recalled how Catholicos Garegin II publicly called for Pashinyan’s resignation and continues to question his fitness to lead the country. Shahzadeyan believes these actions are linked to next year’s elections, suggesting the authorities are trying to "clear the field" of influential opposition forces, with the Church being a key target due to its social influence. He also pointed to increased external pressure following Pashinyan’s meeting with Erdogan in Istanbul. According to Shahzadeyan, Turkish and Azerbaijani demands may include the Zangezur Corridor, withdrawal of Russian forces from Armenia, and extraditions to Azerbaijan. The analyst warns that Pashinyan may try to retain power by force before the 2026 elections. Possible tactics include weaponizing national values to test protest potential, suppressing rallies, provoking border tensions to justify emergency rule, and relying on proxy parties. The arrests of clerics and opposition figures, he says, might be just the beginning.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20250702/arrest-of-karapetyan-highlights-crisis-of-democracy-in-armenia-1122387938.html
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armenian businessman samvel karapetyan, nikol pashinyan’s government, mounting pressure on the armenian apostolic church
armenian businessman samvel karapetyan, nikol pashinyan’s government, mounting pressure on the armenian apostolic church
Crackdown on Clergy Signals Future Power Grab in Armenia – Analyst
08:42 GMT 04.07.2025 (Updated: 20:22 GMT 10.07.2025) The arrest of Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan and mounting pressure on the Armenian Apostolic Church are part of a broader crackdown by Nikol Pashinyan’s government, the chairman of Armenia’s Political Scientists Association, Mihran Shahzadeyan, told Sputnik.
He emphasized the historic role of the Church as the unifying force in Armenian identity, especially before 1918. Even today, it remains the most respected institution in the country. Its stance on national issues is increasingly clashing with the government’s policies.
Shahzadeyan recalled how Catholicos Garegin II publicly called for Pashinyan’s resignation and continues to question his fitness to lead the country.
Shahzadeyan believes
these actions are linked to next year’s elections, suggesting the authorities are trying to "clear the field" of influential opposition forces, with the Church being a key target due to its social influence.
He also pointed to increased external pressure following Pashinyan’s meeting with Erdogan in Istanbul. According to Shahzadeyan, Turkish and Azerbaijani demands may include the Zangezur Corridor, withdrawal of Russian forces from Armenia, and extraditions to Azerbaijan.
The analyst warns that
Pashinyan may try to retain power by force before the 2026 elections. Possible tactics include weaponizing national values to test protest potential, suppressing rallies, provoking border tensions to justify emergency rule, and relying on proxy parties. The arrests of clerics and opposition figures, he says, might be just the beginning.
