RA premier`s statements about AAC raise concerns about potential  government interference in AAC`s religious autonomy - USCIRF 

ArmInfo. In Armenia, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's statements about the Armenian Apostolic  Church (AAC) raised concerns about potential government interference in the AAC's religious autonomy, reads the 2026 Annual Report by the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF). 

"Throughout 2025, Prime Minister Pashinyan proposed establishing and  personally appointing a council to elect a new AAC leader, and  elevated clergy who aligned with his agenda to oust the current  catholicos. Pashinyan's attacks on Catholicos Karekin II coincided  with the arrest of AAC clerics and other lay members who had  criticized or expressed political opposition to Pashinyan's  government. Whether these arrests are justified or religiously  motivated is a topic of ongoing debate."

As a reminder, since May 2025, the Armenian authorities have been  actively pursuing an anti-church policy and are seeking the  resignation of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, who is elected  to this position for life. This campaign has targeted both clergy and  citizens who support the Church. Currently, four high-ranking clergy  are imprisoned on trumped-up charges as part of this anti-church  campaign. Furthermore, the Armenian prime minister and 10 schismatic  bishops signed a framework document on the so-called renewal of the  Armenian Church.

According to the Constitution, Armenia is a secular state, where  church and state are separate. However, the "exclusive mission" of  the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) in preserving national identity  is recognized.