An Armenian court today decided to extend the pre-trial detention of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan by two months.

Armenia’s National Security Service took Galstyan into custody last June when headed the Armenian Apostolic Church’s Tavush Diocese.

The clergyman is charged with fomenting public disorder and planning to seize power in Armenia during a protest movement he led in 2024 opposing the Armenian government’s plan to handover border regions to Azerbaijan.

On May 9, 2024,  Galstyan went so far as issuing the following ultimatum to Armenian PM Nikol Pashinyan – "You have one hour to resign!"

Galstyan’s supporters chanted "freedom for the righteous” as Judge Karen Farkhoyan announced the court’s decision.

The state prosecutor had requested a three-month extension of Galstyan’s detention.