Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II has condemned what he described as “fabricated” accusations against Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, who was recently placed under a two-month detention in Armenia. The church leader made the remarks at Yerevan’s Zvartnots Airport upon returning from visits to France and Switzerland, Sputnik Armenia reported.

“We learned in Marseille the sad news that Archbishop Arshak had been detained on an unfounded, orchestrated case. He is now the fourth hierarch to be taken into custody. Our archbishops are facing these trials with an unbending spirit and believe that justice will prevail,” Karekin II told supporters gathered at the airport.

The Catholicos again accused the authorities of exerting pressure on the Church, recalling that Etchmiadzin “has repeatedly called for an end to the persecution of clergy and attempts to interfere in church life.” He emphasized that the clergy intends to “remain faithful to its mission” despite the escalating tensions.

Before leaving the airport, Karekin II invited the crowd to recite the Lord’s Prayer “in support of all prisoners of conscience.”

Tensions between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the government have grown in recent months following sharp statements by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his initiative to change the procedure for electing the Catholicos, giving the state a decisive role.

Prior to Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan’s detention, authorities had arrested Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan of the Tavush Diocese, Archbishop Mikael Adjapahyan, and Bishop Mkrtich Proshyan. Church representatives have insisted that all charges against the clerics are politically motivated and unfounded.