OSCE chief appears to back removal of Armenian church leader in prank call

Russian pranksters Vovan and Lexus have released what they say is a recorded conversation with the secretary general of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), in which the official believed he was speaking with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.

According to footage aired by Russia's Channel One on Wednesday, the prank targeted OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioğlu, a Turkish diplomat. The pranksters claim Sinirlioğlu agreed to support Pashinyan's efforts to remove the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church during the conversation.

In excerpts released by the pranksters, the caller, posing as Pashinyan, says he believes he has "trump cards" and suggests he could "change the religion," while asking for the OSCE's backing after facing criticism from allies of businessman and philanthropist Samvel Karapetyan. Sinirlioğlu is heard responding that he would "do everything possible" and asks whether the Armenian prime minister has the authority to replace the Catholicos of All Armenians.

Vovan (Vladimir Kuznetsov) and Lexus (Alexei Stolyarov) are known for placing prank calls to prominent political figures while impersonating government leaders.