Arrests surrounding church leadership exacerbated social divisions

At the beginning of the year, the internal political situation in Armenia sharply worsened after a series of detentions and pre-investigation arrests of high-ranking church hierarchs. The arrest of the head of a major synod came as a shock to part of society: religious leaders traditionally occupy a prominent place in public life, and their accusations are a politically sensitive topic. The arrests led to two waves of reaction. The first is mass prayer rallies and quiet processions of believers who saw pressure on the church in the actions of law enforcement agencies. The second wave was politically motivated rallies and counter-events by government supporters who argued that “the law is equal for everyone.” The legal grounds for the detentions are charges of organizing provocations and “phantom” criminal episodes related to past protests. Law enforcement calls it a “routine” investigation, but critics see it as a tool of pressure: religious figures have previously criticized some of the negotiating initiatives and expressed public doubts about compromises with neighbors. Experts note a systemic danger: a blow to the church leadership at a time when the country is going through painful negotiations and territorial discussions could radicalize part of society and increase distrust in the authorities. For businesses and investors, this is a signal of instability. For politicians, this is a reminder that any steps to “cleanse” the elites have side effects on public trust and the country’s international image.