Armenian court changes preventive measure for Igor Sargsyan, "Sacred  Struggle" movement supporter 

ArmInfo.During a hearing at the Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan on July 23, Judge Karen Farkhoyan changed the preventive measure for Igor Sargsyan, supporter of the "Sacred Struggle" movement and member of the Supreme Body of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation (ARF) Dashnaktsutyun, from house arrest with to administrative supervision.

Sargsyan's defense noted that their client had committed no  violations while under house arrest, prompting a request to soften or  entirely lift the preventive measure. The defense also highlighted  that Sargsyan is experiencing health issues and requires urgent  medical care, and that a lighter restraint would allow him to undergo  necessary medical procedures without hindrance. In turn, the  prosecutor disagreed with the defense that new circumstances had  emerged warranting a change in the preventive measure, though he  acknowledged that the judge could consider applying a non-custodial  restraint if deemed necessary. "After hearing both sides, I have  decided to change Igor Sargsyan's pretrial detention from house  arrest to administrative supervision," the judge stated during the  hearing.

It should be noted that Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the  "Sacred Struggle" movement, was also scheduled to attend the hearing.  Even before the hearing began, it was postponed for 30 minutes  because the Probation Service was unable to deliver Archbishop Bagrat  Galstanyan, leader of the Sacred Struggle movement, to court on time.  He was brought to the hearing almost two hours late. Speaking to  reporters about the case, lawyer Tatevik Soghoyan said it is  currently in the evidence examination phase. "However, it is  completely unclear how some of the defendants ended up in the dock,  as they have nothing to do with the charges. For example, they  present the results of an examination of some hunting weapon that is  in no way connected to the defendants in the case and was not found  during the searches," the lawyer explained.

Soghoyan also stated that she had no information regarding why  Archbishop Galstanyan could not be brought to court on time. "Perhaps  this is the result of poor organization, or there are other reasons.  Srbazan stated that he had been waiting for the Probation Service  officers since 2:00 PM," Sogoyan added.

Recall, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan launched a broad  anti-church campaign in May 2025, demanding the resignation of  Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. As part of this campaign,  several clergy members were detained. On June 25, 18 opposition  figures and supporters of the "Sacred Struggle" movement, led by the  movement's leader, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, were taken into  custody. They are accused of attempting to "seize power" and  "terrorism." "Recordings of conversations between movement members"  are cited as evidence of their guilt.