Armenian court extends detention of Archbishop Galstanyan

 A court in Yerevan has extended the detention of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the “Sacred Struggle” movement, for three months as he faces charges of plotting terrorist acts and attempting to overthrow the constitutional order, Armenian media reported on Thursday.

Judge Karen Farhoyan said the extension was necessary at the current stage of the investigation.

Galstanyan was detained on June 18. On the same day, police arrested businessman Samvel Karapetyan, president and founder of Tashir Group, accusing him of publicly calling for a seizure of power. Archbishop Mikael Adjapakhyan and other supporters of the movement were later also detained on similar charges.