Armenian church leader to go on trial in widening confrontation with governmen

Emil Lazarian
Reuters
Aug 6 2026
By Lucy Papachristou
  • Catholicos is spiritual leader of millions of Armenians worldwide
  • Case highlights tensions with government of PM Pashinyan
  • Defendants accused of defying civil court order
  • Critics say prosecution is politically motivated
Aug 6 (Reuters) – The head of the Apostolic Church in Armenia, widely regarded as the world’s first Christian nation, and six other senior clerics will go on trial on Friday in the latest escalation of a bitter struggle ‌with the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
Catholicos Karekin II, who has led the Church since 1999, is accused alongside the other defendants of failing to comply with a civil court order temporarily reinstating a bishop whom the Church had defrocked. They face up to two years in prison if convicted.
The case is the most significant legal challenge yet to the leadership of the Apostolic Church, a powerful institution in Armenia that traces the country’s adoption of Christianity to 301 AD.
It comes amid deepening tensions between church and state over Pashinyan’s leadership and ⁠his handling of peace talks with Azerbaijan after a series of wars dating back to the 1980s.
Pashinyan, re-elected in June, has won strong backing from the European Union as he tries to steer Armenia closer to the West and away from Russia’s orbit.
But opposition politicians, church leaders and civil society groups say the prosecution of the Catholicos is politically motivated, and part of a wider crackdown on government critics.
Anna Melikyan, a lawyer at Protection of Rights Without Borders, an Armenian non-profit group, said the case violated the constitutional independence of the Apostolic Church.
“This is a clear interference of the executive power in church affairs,” she said.
“There are a lot of concerns about the independence of the judiciary in Armenia…and with certain politically sensitive cases, including cases against the church or clergy, these concerns become very strong.”
Pashinyan’s office and the prosecutor’s office did not respond to requests for comment. Pashinyan has ‌repeatedly called ⁠for Karekin’s resignation and accused the Apostolic Church, without presenting evidence, of acting as a proxy for foreign powers, namely Russia. The Church denies that.

SENIOR CLERGY CALL FOR PM’S RESIGNATION

The Apostolic Church, which is distinct from both the Orthodox and Catholic churches, counts millions of followers in Armenia and around the world. Church officials say the arrests of several clergymen in recent years have been politically motivated.
The trial stems from the case of Gevorg Saroyan, a bishop who was defrocked after the ⁠Church accused him of abusing his authority and neglecting his duties. Saroyan had publicly called for Karekin’s resignation and aligned himself with Pashinyan.
Two years ago, another prominent cleric, Bagrat Galstanyan — who is now under house arrest awaiting trial — led street protests against Pashinyan over territorial concessions made to Azerbaijan. The Catholicos himself has echoed calls for ⁠the prime minister to step down.
“Pashinyan started viewing the Church as a political threat, as an institution that could support the opposition and different political parties to come to power,” said Tigran Grigoryan, director of the Regional Centre for Democracy and Security think tank in Yerevan.
Grigoryan said the case ⁠against the clerics fit into a broader pattern of selective justice pursued by Pashinyan’s government, which has seen leading opposition figures detained and some of their assets seized by the state.
One prominent archbishop was given two years in prison in October after calling for regime change in a media interview, while several other priests are awaiting trial on similar charges.

Reporting by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Ros Russell

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Cold War Spy Satellites Uncovered a 2,700-Year-Old Armenian Water System

Nahapetian Zhanna
Vision Times
Aug 5, 2026
Researchers mapped more than 600 miles of canals around the lost Urartu city of Argishtikhinili, built without a single pump.

Beneath the dry farmland of Armenia’s Ararat Plain lies the outline of a canal network, a water system, built more than 2,700 years ago. It was not mapped in full until researchers combined modern satellite images with declassified Cold War spy photographs.

The network served Argishtikhinili, an administrative city built by King Argishti I of Urartu, an Iron Age kingdom centered on Lake Van in what is now eastern Turkey. Argishti ruled from 786 to 764 BCE. He had already founded the fortress of Erebuni, now Yerevan, in 782 BCE; a few years later he established Argishtikhinili on the middle course of the Aras River to administer the plain his armies had just conquered.

Researchers used Cold War spy photos to map a hidden canal network

A team from the University of Warsaw and the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia mapped the site using Landsat and Sentinel-1 satellite imagery, digital elevation models, and declassified American CORONA and GAMBIT reconnaissance photographs from the Cold War. They published the results in the journal Antiquity. The combined imagery identified more than 600 miles of water-management features across the plain: about 429 kilometers of channels still carrying water today, roughly 420 kilometers of former mountain streams and old branches of the Aras River repurposed for irrigation, 36 kilometers of deeply cut paleochannels, and about 135 kilometers of probable ancient canals awaiting confirmation.

Stelae inscribed for Argishti I record that he found the plain empty of people and unfit for farming, then ordered canals dug to irrigate new vineyards and orchards. Later inscriptions describe five main canals feeding the city and the farmland around it. The system ran on gravity alone: engineers read the slope of the land precisely enough to move water for miles without a single pump.

The city stored grain on an industrial scale, then fell to invaders

Argishtikhinili sat on flat, exposed ground, a poor defensive position compared with the mountaintop fortresses Urartu typically favored. Excavated granaries, wine cellars, storerooms and barracks show what kept the city running: a bureaucracy that managed the region’s harvest and stored it for the state. Chinese-language accounts of the excavation put grain storage at roughly 5,000 tons and wine storage at 160,000 liters, figures that could not be confirmed against the paywalled Antiquity paper.

Urartu’s long war with the Assyrian Empire wore the kingdom down. King Rusa I lost Urartu’s chief temple to the army of the Assyrian king Sargon II, and later monarchs rebuilt granaries and temples at Argishtikhinili without restoring the kingdom’s power. Archaeologists have found burn layers, weapons, and human remains dating to around 600 BCE, when the city was destroyed, likely by Scythian or Median raiders. Argishtikhinili had stood for less than two centuries.

Researchers say many of the modern irrigation channels crossing the Ararat Plain today follow the same routes first cut under Argishti I and his successors, still carrying water more than 2,700 years later.

By Wen Shan, Vision Times

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Pasadena Lawmaker Launches First Assembly Committee Focused on California-Arme

Aram Torosian
Colorado Boulevard, CA
Aug 5, 2026

Assemblymember John Harabedian (D-Pasadena) has launched the California State Assembly’s first Select Committee on California and Armenia Mutual Trade, Art, and Cultural Exchange, creating a new forum to strengthen economic, educational, and cultural ties between California and Armenia.

By News Desk

Harabedian, the only Armenian American currently serving in the California Legislature, announced the new committee as California remains home to the nation’s largest Armenian American community.

The committee held its inaugural hearing today, featuring remarks from Anna Avetisyan, consul general of the Republic of Armenia in Los Angeles. Avetisyan highlighted the importance of strengthening the partnership between California and Armenia and the opportunities the committee could help create.

According to Harabedian, the committee will bring together business leaders, educators, artists, community organizations, and policymakers to identify ways the two regions can collaborate more closely. Areas of focus include expanding trade and investment, strengthening educational partnerships, and promoting Armenian art and culture.

“Long before this committee existed, California and Armenia were connected by the people who call both places home,” Harabedian said. “Hundreds of thousands of Armenian Americans call California home. They’ve built businesses, created jobs, strengthened our communities, and helped shape this state. This committee was created to build on that foundation and create new opportunities for the next generation.”

Harabedian said California is uniquely positioned to lead these efforts as the world’s fourth-largest economy and home to a thriving Armenian American community.

The committee plans to explore opportunities to expand trade and business partnerships between California and Armenia, encourage investment and innovation, strengthen educational and academic exchanges, promote Armenian art, culture, and tourism, and highlight the contributions of California’s Armenian American community.

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Armenian reservist criticises disorganisation and ammunition shortages in the

Elizabeth Jabejian
OC Media
Aug 6, 2026
by Ani Ghulinyan

6 August 2026 (Updated:  about 7 hours ago)•1 min read

An Armenian reservist who took part in a 25-day mandatory reserve training has criticised the programme, alleging it was disorganised, poorly prepared, and that there were shortages of equipment and ammunition. This has led to a quick denial from the Defence Ministry, which hinted at possible legal repercussions for the reservist.

The controversy shed light on a perceived lack of transparency and increased secrecy within Armenia’s reserve system, which requires all men aged 20–55 to participate in routine training exercises.

Although a ministry official attempted to dismiss the reservist’s account by releasing a video of a ‘surprise’ visit to the exact location where the reservist Armen Ghazaryan was stationed, he also warned that further disclosures about weapons, ammunition, or troop positions could have legal implications.

In this article, published on Sunday by Hetq, Ghazaryan claimed that the programme is disorganised from its very beginning, with people usually being assigned tasks outside their specialisation, which he describes as a misallocation of resources. Ghazaryan then went on to describe the lack of ammunition, especially bullets for effective training, as well as the fact that their positions are exposed to Azerbaijani soldiers. These shortcomings, he said, reveal that the army has institutional problems.

These mandatory trainings, where reservists can choose when they would like to volunteer during the year, replaced the previous three‑month training meant to keep the military reserve up to date.

The Chief of the General Staff, Edvard Asryan, appeared in the Defence Ministry’s video, addressing the criticisms in the article one by one. Asryan explained that although some of them may be true, the overall situation is not as bad as Ghazaryan described.

Defence Ministry spokesperson Aram Torosyan added that they took the article as constructive criticism, but information about the number of weapons, their types, ammunition, and army positions is classified as confidential information, and publishing it may result in legal action.

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Russia bans import of 70,000 bottles of Armenian water and soft drinks

Bedik Zaminian
OC Media
Aug 6, 2026
by Ani Ghulinyan

6 August 2026 (Updated:  about 7 hours ago)•1 min read

Russia has blocked the sale of over 70,000 bottles of imported Armenian water and soft drinks, including the Bjni mineral water, Prosto Azbuka natural drinking water, and the Mohito non-alcoholic carbonated drink, citing alleged health risks and product violations.

The imports were banned on the orders of Russia’s consumer protection and public health regulator, Rospotrebnadzor.

Armenia’s State Service For Food Safety told RFE/RL that it was still waiting for an official explanation from Rospotrebnadzor.

This is the latest in a series of Russian trade restrictions on Armenian goods as part of Moscow’s economic pressure on Armenia surrounding the Armenian parliamentary elections, which took place in June 2026.

In late May, Russia restricted imports of certain berries and fresh vegetables from Armenia. Prior to that, it suspended the sale of alcoholic beverages from several Armenian producers, claiming they did ‘not meet mandatory requirements’. Russia has also fully banned the import and sale of Armenian Jermuk mineral water.

Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) have also explicitly and repeatedly warned Armenia of the consequences of leaving the EAEU as it continues to push for warmer ties with the West and EU.

Beyond trade restrictions, Russia has also signaled potential consequences within other multilateral frameworks Armenia is part of. On 4 August, Russia’s Collective Security Treaty Organisation (CSTO) envoy Viktor Vasilev said that the bloc’s 11 November summit in Moscow will likely discuss suspending Armenia’s voting rights over unpaid dues.

However, any such move would require the consensus of all members. Armenia stopped paying dues in 2025 and has since February 2024 frozen its participation in the CSTO, accusing the organisation of failing to support it militarily or politically following Azerbaijan’s incursion into Armenian territory in 2022.

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US denies funding increase to TRIPP+ Enterprise and Trump Route

Aram Torosian
OC Media
Aug 6, 2026
by OC Media

6 August 2026•1 min read

A US senior adviser has denied reports that funding to TRIPP+ Enterprise, the parent funding source of the Trump Route, had doubled from $201 million to $402 million.

The senior adviser to the Special Envoy for Peace Missions, Aryeh Lightstone, confirmed to Armenian independent media outlet CivilNet that the funding stood at $201 million.

Several media outlets, including OC Media, had initially reported that the funding had been doubled, based on an apparent increase seen on the US government’s official spending database.

However, Lightstone clarified to CivilNet that the apparent increase was merely a replacement of funding sources. The outlet pointed to a notation revising the TRIPP+ grant, which reads:

‘The award is being modified to swap out funds. Specifically, F has instructed EUR/ACE to swap the current $201 million AEECA funds with NSIP funds’, the notation reads.

The Trump Route, also known by its official name the Trump Route for International Peace and Prosperity (TRIPP), agreed upon by Armenia and Azerbaijan with US mediation, would connect Azerbaijan to its exclave Nakhchivan through Armenian territory.

The initial funding was approved in January 2026 by the State Department with an implementation period of approximately 10 years. Although there is not yet an official statement about the increase, the database shows that on 16 July, the funding was doubled.

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Opposition Strong Armenia bloc leader Samvel Karapetyan calls trial against Ca

Tambiyan Samvel
News.am, Armenia
Aug 6, 2026

Opposition Strong Armenia bloc leader Samvel Karapetyan calls trial against Catholicos a “disgrace to all Armenians”

Businessman, philanthropist, and opposition Strong Armenia Alliance leader Samvel Karapetyan has called the upcoming trial against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and six bishops a national disgrace.

The first court hearing in the criminal case against the Catholicos and the six bishops will be held Friday.

And the criminal case against Karapetyan was initiated after his statement in defense of the Armenian Apostolic Church.

Speaking with reporters Thursday, Karapetyan stated that he considers what is happening “a disgrace to all Armenians.”

According to him, it seemed that the incumbent Armenian authorities would come to their senses and stop their attacks on the Armenian Apostolic Church, but they continue.

“We’ll see,” Samvel Karapetyan added ambiguously.

Also, he noted that the members of the Strong Armenia bloc will be in attendance at the court hearing and will support the Catholicos and the six bishops.

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Strong Armenia MPs to miss parliament session to attend court hearing: “Playin

Ani Basmajian
Aysor, Armenia
Aug 6, 2026

Narek Karapetyan, an MP from the Strong Armenia bloc, has made a statement.

“The Armenian authorities are taking a shameful step of pressure, and an unprecedented case will go down in history.

The Catholicos of All Armenians has been summoned to court as a defendant. Tomorrow, we will not be in the National Assembly. We will be in Vagharshapat with our compatriots at 4:00 p.m., so that everyone can see that playing with our religious feelings will have consequences.

Tomorrow at 4:00 p.m., I will be outside the Echmiadzin court. We will be there,” Karapetyan said.

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Armenia faction to attend trial of Catholicos of All Armenians: Anna Grigoryan

Ekmekjian Janet
Aysor, Armenia
Aug 6, 2026

Anna Grigoryan, head of the National Assembly’s Armenia faction, has announced that the faction will attend the court hearing in the case of the Catholicos of All Armenians.

“The Armenia faction will also participate in the court hearing. We will come to the National Assembly in the morning to ensure the continuity of the session, and then we will go to attend the trial,” she told Aysor.am.

According to Grigoryan, this is not an ordinary political or social issue, but one of “values and fundamental principles.” She said this is why it is necessary to express support for the Catholicos of All Armenians and the clergy at the court hearing

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Turkish Press: Russian envoy says CSTO may discuss suspending Armenia’s partic

Greg Madatian
Anadolu Agency, Turkey
Aug 6, 2026
Senior Russian diplomat says Armenia’s CSTO obligations unfulfilled for more than 2 years
Elena Teslova
MOSCOW

The Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) may discuss suspending Armenia’s participation rights at the November summit, Russia’s permanent representative to the CSTO and Ambassador-at-Large of the Foreign Ministry, Viktor Vasiliev, said on Thursday.

Speaking in an interview with Russian state news agency RIA, Vasiliev said Armenia’s obligations had remained unfulfilled for more than two years.

The organization can suspend a member state’s right to nominate candidates for quota-based positions and its voting rights in CSTO bodies if the state fails to meet its financial obligations to the organization’s budget for two years, he said.

“De facto, this provision has already been in effect for more than two years,” Vasiliev said, noting that Armenia has not nominated citizens for quota-based positions in the CSTO Secretariat and has withdrawn its representatives from the organization’s Joint Staff.

The next session of the CSTO Collective Security Council is scheduled in Moscow on Nov. 11, and the leaders of member states may discuss the issue, Vasiliev said.

Any decision would require consensus among the organization’s members, he added.

Armenia’s contribution to the CSTO budget amounts to 10%, according to Vasiliev. The organization’s 2026 budget includes 278.27 million rubles ($3.5 million) for the CSTO Secretariat and 292.07 million rubles ($3.7 million) for its Joint Staff, meaning Armenia’s combined share would amount to about 57 million rubles ($4.6 million).

Vasiliev rejected the characterization of Armenia’s relationship with the CSTO as a “conflict,” saying the organization remains interested in maintaining relations with Yerevan.

He said Moscow wanted to preserve friendly relations with Armenia, citing longstanding historical and social ties between the two countries.

He added that the Karabakh conflict was outside the CSTO’s mandate and should not be directly linked to Armenia’s relations with the organization.

The envoy also commented on Armenia’s expanding security cooperation with NATO member states, including the Eagle Partner-2026 military exercise involving Armenian, US, French and Greek personnel.

The official said Russia viewed such cooperation as part of efforts by NATO countries and other Western states to strengthen their ties with Armenia.

On nuclear weapons, Vasiliev said Russia’s defense policy provides for the possible use of nuclear weapons, including in defense of allies, in circumstances involving an existential threat.

Asked whether tactical nuclear weapons could be deployed in other CSTO member states, he noted that three CSTO countries are parties to the Central Asian Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone Treaty.

Vasiliev said the CSTO was closely monitoring the security situation in Afghanistan, particularly the risks of terrorism, extremism and drug trafficking.

According to him, the organization was implementing a program aimed at strengthening Tajikistan’s border with Afghanistan, with Dushanbe expected to submit requests for the equipment and other resources it needs.

The envoy said CSTO members also adopted measures to strengthen the organization’s defense capabilities, including plans to develop collective aviation forces and create a mobile air-defense capability.

The measures are expected to be submitted to CSTO leaders for approval in November, although practical work has already begun, he said.

Vasiliev said the organization was also assessing how military experience from the Ukraine conflict could be incorporated into CSTO exercises.

On relations with NATO, he said the CSTO had remained open to dialogue with European and international security organizations, but claimed NATO had shown no reciprocal interest.

The official added that Russia and Belarus proposed developing a new security architecture in Eurasia and that related discussions were underway within the CSTO.

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