In a significant legal ruling on Friday, Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan was sentenced to two years in prison by a court in Yerevan, Armenia. The cleric was found guilty of inciting the public to overthrow the government, a charge that his defense team vehemently argues is politically driven.

The case, which has drawn extensive attention, saw Ajapahyan arrested last June during a dramatic confrontation at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. This incident was part of a wider crackdown by Armenian authorities on opposition figures and outspoken clerics, including Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, leader of the Sacred Struggle movement. Galstanyan was also detained under similar accusations, involving alleged possession of explosives as part of a coup plot, which his legal representatives have dismissed as baseless.

The backdrop to these arrests includes heightened national tensions following Armenia's controversial decision in 2024 to cede several border villages to Azerbaijan. This move was part of a broader initiative to normalize relations between the two countries but sparked major protests and intensified the Sacred Struggle movement's activities against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's administration.

The Armenian Apostolic Church has condemned Ajapahyan's conviction, labeling it an extension of an anti-church campaign. This sentiment reflects the broader unease among certain sections of the Armenian public and clergy regarding the government's recent actions against church figures.

Following the contentious verdict, Ajapahyan's lawyer announced plans to appeal, citing political motivation and questioning the integrity of the charges. According to Armenian criminal procedure, the defense can challenge the trial’s decisions on both legal and evidential grounds through appellate review. Should the appellate court uphold the decision, a further review can be sought at the cassation court.

This case is part of a larger narrative of political and social upheaval in Armenia, where the government's steps to secure peace with Azerbaijan through territorial concessions are facing stiff opposition domestically. The church has pledged to continue its legal fight and public advocacy efforts to support Ajapahyan throughout the appeals process. As the situation develops, both national and international observers are closely watching the implications for Armenia's political stability and the broader regional dynamics.