Expert condemns Pashinyan's 'disgraceful' campaign against Armenian clergy

Orientalist Gevorg Galtekyan has strongly criticized Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's "disgraceful" campaign targeting Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and other senior clergy.

Speaking at Yerevan's Zvartnots Airport in a public show of support for the Armenian church leader, Galtekyan accused Pashinyan of promoting false narratives to deflect public attention from pressing issues.

“Pashinyan is currently grappling with numerous problems, particularly in foreign policy,” Galtekyan told Panorama.am. “The so-called ‘peace treaty’ was doomed from the outset – it was stillborn. He is promoting false agendas in an attempt to distract public attention from the key issues, this time by targeting the Armenian Apostolic Church."

Galtekyan condemned the prime minister’s rhetoric against the clergy as “unacceptable” and called for his resignation.

“I firmly believe we must remove this government of evil before the 2026 elections,” he said, characterizing the Pashinyan administration's actions as a systematic assault on Armenia's national institutions.

The expert also alleged coordination between Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.

“Pashinyan must be removed from power whether through impeachment or street protests,” Galtekyan added.