Archbishop Mikael Adjapahyan Found Guilty of Calling for Seizure of Power

On September 24, Armenia’s Court of First Instance found Archbishop Mikael Adjapahyan, leader of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, guilty of calling for a military coup. The ruling has drawn strong criticism from the Church and his supporters, who see it as a politically motivated decision.

The case against Adjapahyan was built on his public speeches and interviews where, according to prosecutors, he used his role as a religious leader to make calls for seizing power. Prosecutors said that, because of his position, his wide following, and his regular use of media platforms, his words could directly influence public opinion and behavior. They pointed to interviews given on February 3, 2024, and June 21, 2025, as evidence of these actions.

The court agreed with the prosecution’s arguments and announced a guilty verdict. Presiding Judge Armine Meliksetyan also ruled to keep Adjapahyan under detention with strict restrictions. He is not allowed to communicate with the media until further notice. His final sentence will be decided on September 29.

Adjapahyan’s defense lawyers have rejected the trial process, calling it unfair and filled with “the most primitive and gross violations.” They argue that the entire case is politically motivated and that the verdict was predetermined.

The decision immediately received strong condemnation from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the spiritual center of the Armenian Apostolic Church. In a statement, the Church said:

“The court’s verdict today, finding Archbishop Mikael Adjapahyan guilty on clearly fabricated charges, delivered a serious blow to justice in Armenia and to the reputation of its judicial system.

This shameful ruling, made under conditions of ongoing hatred and repression in the country, once again confirmed that Armenia’s judiciary is fully dependent on the will of the political authorities.

It is painful to note that in our homeland justice has become selective and is openly used to serve political revenge.”

For the Church, this verdict represents not only a challenge to the rights of one of its leading figures but also a threat to the broader independence of Armenia’s judicial system. The statement said the Mother See will use every available legal mechanism to defend the Archbishop and seek to overturn the ruling.

The case has already sparked debates about the role of religious leaders in politics, the independence of the courts, and the limits of free speech in Armenia. As the next hearing approaches on September 29, the country will be watching closely to see what punishment Archbishop Mikael Adjapahian will receive and whether the ruling will deepen tensions between the state and the Church.