Armenian Church Leader Arrested, Tensions Rise

Arshak Khachatryan, a senior Armenian Church figure, faces charges of planting drugs on protesters, leading to his pre-trial detention. This arrest is part of a growing conflict between the church and the state, with several religious leaders taken into custody this year. The tension escalated due to Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyans handling of peace talks with Azerbaijan, which led to criticisms from some senior clerics. Khachatryan, a key ally of Catholicos Karekin the Second, denies the charges and is supported by the Church, which condemns his arrest as politically motivated. The situation has caused divisions within the clergy and highlights the deep rift between the government and the Armenian Apostolic Church. The Daily News Now! — Every city. Every story. AI-powered. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.