Armenia's Political Turmoil Escalates as PM Engages in Controversial Church Clash

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan faces a fierce clash with the Armenian Apostolic Church, marked by mass arrests and his outrageous offer to prove his faith. With pivotal elections looming, the political landscape is becoming increasingly fraught, as accusations of coup plotting and religious betrayal further complicate matters.

Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan finds himself entwined in a significant political crisis as he engages in a contentious battle with the Armenian Apostolic Church. The situation has escalated dramatically, featuring mass arrests, allegations of a coup, and Pashinyan's shocking offer to expose himself to church leaders to affirm his Christian faith.

In a recent statement on Facebook, Pashinyan, who commands a following of 1.1 million, claimed he would reveal his private parts to the head of the Armenian Church, Catholicos Karekin II, and his spokesperson. This unusual offer stems from accusations made by Father Zareh Ashuryan, a priest from Masis, who alleged that Pashinyan had been circumcised, likening him to Judas and questioning his Christian identity.

Pashinyan's tension with the Church has grown since Armenia's defeat in a 2020 conflict with Azerbaijan, with the Church emerging as a vocal critic of his government. The rift escalated when Pashinyan publicly accused Karekin II of violating his celibacy vow and fathering a child, a claim that sparked fervent responses. Rather than addressing the allegations, the Church accused Pashinyan of undermining Armenia's "spiritual unity."

The confrontation took a significant turn when authorities detained 16 individuals, including senior cleric Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, amidst accusations of plotting to seize power. The arrests followed a report alleging plans to establish armed groups for violent protests, leading to widespread outrage and claims of political repression amongst the opposition.

Amidst this turmoil, prominent billionaire Samvel Karapetyan was arrested after supporting the Church and voicing his discontent with governmental actions. Karapetyan, one of Armenia’s wealthiest individuals, has been a pillar of support for the Armenian Apostolic Church, further complicating Pashinyan's fight to maintain control.

In light of these events, Pashinyan announced intentions to nationalize Karapetyan's Electric Networks of Armenia, escalating the already high stakes of this unfolding struggle. As this political saga develops, observers fear its implications could spiral out of control, endangering Armenia's stability in the region.