Court Extends the Detention Period of Bishop Bagrat

Judge Karen Farhoyan decided on April 23 to extend the detention of Bishop Bagrat for another two months. According to the judge, the case is currently in the main hearing phase, and the previously established grounds and conditions have not changed, which is why it is not permissible to apply alternative measures.

The public prosecutor had requested a three-month extension of the detention, accompanied by a protest held in the courtroom, where attendees raised placards with slogans like "Freedom for the bishop" and others.

Prosecutor Hayk Hovhannisyan noted that the grounds for the detention of the bishop still exist. He stated that Bagrat Galstanyan could obstruct the investigation by influencing participants in the trial.

Defense attorney Tatevik Sogoyan, on the other hand, reminded that the prosecution did not present the operational data on which the wiretapping was conducted. The defense added that the accusatory conclusion lacks references indicating preparations for seizing power.

The Investigative Committee had previously published recordings of representatives of the "Sacred Struggle" movement. According to a statement issued on June 25, 2025, the leaders and participants of the movement had planned acts of terrorism and actions aimed at seizing power. Among the 18 defendants in this case, only Bishop Bagrat and Vahagn Chakhalyan are currently in custody.