FOREF condemns Armenian authorities` attacks on AAC

ArmInfo. In a series of aggressive moves over the past week, the Armenian government under Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has intensified its campaign against  the Armenian Apostolic Church, raising serious alarms about  violations of freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) in a country that  proudly claims to be the first nation to adopt Christianity as its  state religion in 301 AD, Forum for Religious Freedom Europe reports. 

Key developments reported in the last 24-48 hours include:

Dissolution of the Military Chaplaincy Program: On January 29-31,  2026, Defense Minister Suren Papikyan issued a decree terminating the  Spiritual Service of the Armenian Armed Forces, effective February 1.  This ends a program established in 1997 (with roots dating to  initiatives by late Catholicos Karekin I and statesman Vazgen  Sargsyan), which placed dozens of chaplains in military units to  provide spiritual support to soldiers. Chaplains reportedly refused  pressure to align with the government's "church reform" agenda  targeting Catholicos Karekin II, leading to the unilateral shutdown.   Critics, including opposition MPs and church representatives,  describe this as an attack on spiritual security and national  tradition, with the army's church in Kanaker now closed to soldiers.

Travel Bans and Restrictions on Senior Clergy: Authorities imposed  exit bans on two archbishops and three bishops, preventing their  participation in the Episcopal Assembly of the worldwide Armenian  Church scheduled for February 16-19 in Austria. This follows  summonses to members of the Supreme Spiritual Council to appear  before the Investigative Committee on charges of "obstructing the  execution of a court act," widely viewed as politically motivated  interference in church governance.

These actions build on a broader pattern of persecution since  mid-2025: four bishops (and reports of up to half the archbishops)  remain in pretrial detention or imprisoned on charges critics call  fabricated, including incitement, drug-related accusations, and  attempts to overthrow the government. Prominent church supporter and  businessman Samvel Karapetyan has also been detained. The government  has publicly demanded the removal of Catholicos Karekin II, accusing  him of illegitimacy and pushing for state- influenced "reforms."

Advocates warn that these measures represent unprecedented state  interference in the church's autonomy, echoing Soviet-era tactics to  subordinate religious institutions.

The conflict risks undermining Armenia's national identity, cultural  heritage, and stability amid regional tensions. FOREF Europe  President Jan Figel has condemned these actions, stating: "We are  witnessing unlawful actions directed against religious freedom and  the constitution in Armenia: Practices especially against the  Armenian Apostolic Church are unacceptable legally, politically and  ethically," and warning that "this is detrimental not only for the  church but for the whole country and for the whole nation."

International Spotlight at the IRF Summit

The crisis is receiving prominent attention at the ongoing  International Religious Freedom Summit (February 2-3, 2026) in  Washington, D.C. Panels feature Armenian representatives from the  Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, including Tamar Purut and  Nina Shaverdyan, addressing the persecution. Lawyer Aram Vardevanyan  highlighted the detention of clergy and benefactors as political  prisoners in his address, while Christian Solidarity International  (CSI) is conducting a concurrent fact-finding mission in Armenia to  document the crackdown and brief summit attendees.

Ahead of VP Vance's Visit

With U.S. Vice President JD Vance scheduled to visit Armenia (and  Azerbaijan) in February 2026 to advance peace efforts, advocacy  groups including CSI, ANCA, and others are urging intervention. Calls  focus on ending the anti-church campaign, securing the release of  detained clergy, and addressing FoRB concerns alongside regional  stability issues.

FOREF Europe condemns these developments as grave threats to freedom  of religion or belief, a core human right enshrined in international  law. We call on the Armenian authorities to cease interference in  church affairs, release those detained on dubious charges, and  restore mechanisms for spiritual support in public institutions. The  international community, including democratic governments and faith  leaders, must prioritize this issue to prevent further erosion of  religious freedom in the Caucasus.