Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian Sentenced to Two Years in Prison for Calling for Military Coup, Barred from Speaking to Media

The Yerevan City First Instance Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction has sentenced Archbishop Mikael Ajapahian, the Primate of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, to two years in prison. The ruling was issued on Friday after months of proceedings that have drawn widespread attention in Armenia.

The prosecution had asked for a sentence of two years and six months, but the court instead handed down a two-year term. On September 24, the court had already declared Ajapahian guilty under Section 2 of Article 422 of Armenia’s Criminal Code, which covers public calls to seize power, undermine territorial integrity, renounce sovereignty, or overthrow the constitutional order by force.

According to the indictment, Archbishop Ajapahian used his position as a church leader to make public calls for seizing power in Armenia. Prosecutors argued that because of his wide following and frequent appearances in the media, his statements carried particular influence.

The case cited two specific interviews, one on February 3, 2024, and another on June 21, 2025, where Ajapahian allegedly called for a military coup in Armenia. The court accepted these claims, ruling that his words amounted to a direct threat to the constitutional order.

Judge Armine Meliksetyan also decided to keep Ajapahian in detention under strict conditions. He is barred from speaking to the media until further notice.

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