Russian MP: Armenian authorities waging endless assault on freedom of  conscience, rights of believers, and Armenian Church

ArmInfo.  The Armenian authorities are waging an endless assault on freedom of conscience, the rights of believers, and the Armenian Apostolic Church, which is subject to repression. This was stated by Konstantin Zatulin, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, Eurasian Integration, and Relations with Compatriots, during his opening  remarks at the opening of the Armenian-Russian "Lazarev Club."

"I believe that whatever we discuss today, we are obligated to  express in the final document our position on the fact that the  world's oldest Christian church is currently being subjected to  political persecution, and that the government and its  representatives in the National Assembly, going into the elections-I  mean the Civil Contract party-have included in their program  documents further measures to crack down on the hierarchy of the  Armenian Apostolic Church," the Russian MP stated. He stated that, in  essence, the Armenian government has declared war on the Church.  According to Zatulin, this is happening against the backdrop of  everything the Republic of Armenia is experiencing today, remaining  in a turbulent zone in the Transcaucasus, next to the raging Middle  East.

"At this very time, as we know, the Armenian authorities are taking  steps aimed at widening the already wide and critical distance  between Armenia and Russia. They are also changing the self-image of  the Armenian people, reorienting them toward new alliances and new  friends. They are also forcing them to betray the traditions of the  centuries-old friendship between our peoples, which throughout  history has led us to defend and protect each other together.

If such sentiments had not existed in the Armenian authorities, then  perhaps a year ago, in January 2025, the Armenian government, and  then the Armenian parliament on March 26, 2025, would not have  adopted the law "On the commencement of the process of accession of  the Republic of Armenia to the European Union," despite the fact that  there was no invitation to join the European Union," the MP noted.

As a reminder, in May 2025, the Armenian Prime Minister launched a  campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Church, seeking the  resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. As part of  this campaign, all dissenters, both clergy and ordinary citizens, are  being imprisoned on various serious charges. Furthermore, the removal  of the Catholicos and the so-called reform of the Armenian Apostolic  Church are included in the election agenda of Nikol Pashinyan's Civil  Contract party.