Armenia.. Court extends the detention of Bishop Bagrat for three months

A court in the Armenian capital Yerevan has extended the detention period of the head of the "Holy Struggle" movement, Bishop Bagrat Galstanyan, for an additional three months, following accusations of planning terrorist attacks and attempting to overthrow the constitutional system.

Judge Karen Varkhoyan stated during the session broadcast by local media: "The court believes that at this stage of the preliminary investigation, the detention period of the accused should be extended for three months."

The courtroom witnessed protests from the attending priests and clergymen who shouted: "Shame on you," in objection to the court's decision.

Authorities had arrested on June 18 the head and founder of Tashir Group, businessman Samuel Karapetyan, on charges of publicly calling for a seizure of power. Subsequently, Bishop Bagrat was detained alongside opposition figure Mikael Ajabakhyan and several supporters of the "Holy Struggle" movement on the same charges.

The arrests came after Karapetyan announced his support for the Armenian Apostolic Church, which Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had harshly criticized, sparking a wave of political and public anger, amid accusations against the government of abusing its powers to persecute opponents.