Archbishop Bagrat demands proof of terror plan claim

Detained Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan issued a statement demanding that the head of Armenia’s Investigative Committee (IC) provide by November 13 concrete proof that a document allegedly handwritten by him detailing a “terrorism plan” exists in the case file.

He said that in the face of Armenia’s national tragedy, marked by war, loss of Artsakh, and thousands of casualties, his own hardships pale in comparison. However, referencing his November 6 courtroom statement, the archbishop reiterated that the IC chairman is a “fraudster and liar” unless he proves the document’s existence.

“If he fails to provide such proof by November 13, he must be dismissed, stripped of his rank, and held criminally accountable for slander, willful distortion of truth, and spreading falsehoods,” he declared.

He also quoted from the Bible (Isaiah 3:9–11), warning that injustice leads to ruin: “Woe to the souls who devise evil plans… they will eat the fruit of their deeds.”

The archbishop concluded, “Yes, the triumph of Truth has no alternative.”

On November 5, during a parliamentary session, IC chairman Artur Poghosyan stated that the archbishop’s case includes handwritten materials where he allegedly defines the act as a “planned act of terrorism.”