Court places Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan under house arrest

By Elen Muradyan

An Armenian court on Friday replaced the detention of Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan, head of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, with house arrest, citing health concerns while legal proceedings continue.

Ajapahyan had been held on charges of publicly calling for the violent overthrow of the government, stemming from remarks made in media interviews in which he spoke about the need for a military coup. A lower court in October 2025 found him guilty and sentenced him to two years in prison, a verdict that has not yet entered into legal force because both the defense and the prosecution have appealed. Prosecutors are seeking a longer sentence, while the defense is demanding acquittal.

The Court of Appeal granted the defense motion to replace detention with house arrest, noting that the cleric underwent surgery about a month ago and that his medical condition was incompatible with continued imprisonment, according to his lawyers.

Ajapahyan has also filed an application with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR), arguing that his detention violated several provisions of the European Convention on Human Rights. His lawyers say the complaint alleges breaches of his right to liberty and security and to freedom of expression, and claims that the criminal prosecution is politically motivated.

Ajapahian’s case is one of several involving senior clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Since 2025, a number of bishops and priests have been arrested or charged in separate criminal cases following public disputes between the government and the Church leadership. The authorities say the cases are based on alleged criminal offenses, while church representatives deny wrongdoing and say the prosecutions are linked to political tensions between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the Church.