PM Pashinyan plans arrests of Catholicos Garegin II's entourage

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, according to media reports, is considering radical steps, including the arrest of those close to Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II, to seek his removal from office before the 2026 elections. These findings come amid growing tensions around the Mother See of Etchmiadzin and rumors of a possible visit by the prime minister to the cathedral.

As ArmeniaToday reports with reference to sources in government circles, «Hraparak» newspaper claims that Nikol Pashinyan intends to instruct law enforcers to arrest the relatives of Catholicos Karekin II. The purpose of these actions, according to the newspaper, is to solve the issue of removing the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church before the parliamentary elections scheduled for 2026.

According to «Hraparak», the Prime Minister is also planning to visit the cathedral accompanied by his associates and a group of rebellious bishops, who recently submitted a petition to the Chancery of Holy Etchmiadzin demanding the resignation of Garegin II. Moreover, the newspaper says that Pashinyan conducted a test last week to assess the strength of the opposition, the defenders of Etchmiadzin and the potential number of supporters who might oppose his actions. He was also reportedly determining «how many troops would be needed to capture the Mother See.»

In the context of these developments, representatives of the ruling Civil Pact party said they had not been officially informed about Pashinyan’s possible participation in a rumored liturgy that could take place on December 28 in Holy Etchmiadzin. The Prime Minister’s spokeswoman, in turn, said that the issue of the venue of the liturgy has not yet been decided. Earlier, 24News reported on Pashinyan’s likely visit to Holy Etchmiadzin on December 28, considering various scenarios, including his participation in the liturgy and the possible detention of Garegin II.

Political tensions around the Catholicos are rising. The day before, on December 18, two rallies were held in Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin: one in support of Catholicos Karekin II, the other by supporters of the authorities who oppose the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church. These demonstrations followed a statement by ten bishops who called for support for their call for the resignation of the Catholicos. In this regard, security measures were reinforced in the monastery complex.

Recall, the conflict between the Armenian government and the Armenian Apostolic Church reached a new peak after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan publicly admitted that the National Security Service (NSS) was interfering in church services. He justified these actions on state security grounds, calling the head of the church, Catholicos Karekin II, a threat to the country.