Latest news with #Armenian
Roya News
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Roya News
Armenia moves to arrest senior archbishop over coup allegations
Tensions between Armenia's government and the Armenian Apostolic Church escalated dramatically on Friday after security forces attempted to arrest Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan outside the Etchmiadzin Cathedral, the spiritual center of Armenian Christianity. According to local news outlets, clashes broke out between security personnel and a crowd of supporters gathered at the church's headquarters near the capital, Yerevan, as officers moved to detain the archbishop over accusations of conspiring to overthrow the government. Video footage circulating on Armenian media showed pushing and shouting outside the church compound. Security forces eventually withdrew, and Archbishop Ajapahyan reportedly agreed to meet with investigators to address the allegations. A court is expected to decide soon whether he will be formally placed in detention. The incident follows the arrest earlier this week of another high-ranking cleric, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, along with 13 others, on charges of plotting a coup. Both Galstanyan and Ajapahyan deny any wrongdoing. In a strongly worded statement, the Armenian Apostolic Church condemned Friday's confrontation, declaring, 'This day will remain in the modern history of our people as a day of national shame because of the shameful actions of Armenian authorities against the Armenian Church.' Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who is facing growing political pressure ahead of next year's elections, accused the clergy of attempting to undermine the state. 'The authorities have thwarted a large and sinister plan by the 'criminal-oligarchic clergy' to take power in Armenia,' he said earlier this week. The clash marks a dramatic escalation in a long-simmering dispute between the secular government and elements of the church. Several senior clerics have previously demanded Pashinyan's resignation, particularly after Armenia's defeat in the 2020 war with Azerbaijan over Nagorno-Karabakh. Pashinyan, who came to power in 2018 following a popular uprising against Armenia's old guard, has seen his popularity decline in the aftermath of the war and Azerbaijan's full takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023. Many in Armenia view the loss of the region, where ethnic Armenians had lived with de facto autonomy for decades, as a national humiliation.
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Dear Vladimir Kramnik, forgive me ...': Levon Aronian writes after chess grandmaster files defamation lawsuit
Vladimir Kramnik (File Photo) In a heartfelt and emotional letter shared publicly on social media, Armenian chess grandmaster Levon Aronian reached out to his longtime friend and former World Champion Vladimir Kramnik, urging reconciliation after Kramnik filed a defamation lawsuit that has sent ripples through the chess world. 'Dear Vladimir Kramnik, forgive me for addressing you publicly,' began Aronian, addressing the Russian legend not with anger or criticism, but with deep respect and concern. The open letter comes just days after Kramnik filed a civil defamation case in Geneva against news site Chessdom, and Czech GM David Navara, whom he accused of defaming him after a series of public disputes over alleged cheating in online chess. Aronian's letter serves as both a personal tribute and a public intervention. He recalls Kramnik's influence on his career, calling him one of his 'chess parents' and crediting much of his chess DNA to the former World Champion. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! He reminisces about Kramnik's resilience — from his victories over Garry Kasparov and Peter Leko to the controversial 'Toiletgate' match against Veselin Topalov — praising his strength and spirit in the face of adversity. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Switch to UnionBank Rewards Card UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo However, Aronian didn't shy away from addressing what he sees as a concerning change in Kramnik's recent actions. 'You are fighting your own demons,' he wrote, acknowledging the emotional toll of Kramnik's crusade against what he believes is widespread cheating in online chess. The letter follows a turbulent backdrop: earlier this year, Kramnik implied that Navara had cheated, prompting Navara to publish a letter describing how the accusations had severely affected his mental health. Kramnik responded by demanding legal action or silence, eventually filing a lawsuit — a move that has sparked backlash from across the chess community. Team India's Intense Nets at Edgbaston| Prep for 2nd Test vs England Grandmasters like Pavel Eljanov have publicly supported Navara, accusing Kramnik of crossing a line. 'David is one of the most honest people in chess,' Eljanov said, echoing the sentiments of many. Aronian's plea ends on a note of unity: 'We are a family... let us start from a fresh page.' In a divided chess world, his message is clear — the board may be black and white, but people are more complex, and reconciliation is still possible. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Straits Times
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Straits Times
Armenia order to arrest senior priest over alleged coup plot triggers scuffles
A new order to arrest a senior clergyman over allegations of plotting to overthrow the government triggered scuffles outside the most celebrated church in Armenia on Friday, according to Armenian news reports. Video posted on Armenian news sites showed security forces jostling with a crowd outside the headquarters of the Armenian Apostolic Church near Yerevan, the capital, as they tried to detain Archbishop Mikael Ajapahyan. The officers withdrew from the area outside the cathedral in Etchmiadzin, and the reports said the archbishop agreed to discuss the allegations with representatives of the Armenian Investigative Committee. A court was to rule on whether to keep Ajapahyan in detention. The unrest erupted two days after another prominent cleric, Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, was detained, the latest stage in an increasingly acrimonious confrontation pitting the church against Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and his government. Galstanyan faces charges, along with 13 others, of plotting to overthrow the government. Both clergymen deny any wrongdoing. The Armenian church denounced the street confrontation, saying the day "will remain in the modern history of our people as a day of national shame because of the shameful actions of Armenian authorities against the Armenian church". Pashinyan, who faces an election next year, said this week that the authorities had thwarted a "large and sinister plan by the 'criminal-oligarchic clergy'" to take power in Armenia, a former Soviet republic in the South Caucasus. Some senior clerics have previously called for Pashinyan to step down over Armenia's military defeats against Azerbaijan after decades of hostilities. Pashinyan rose to power on a wave of street protests in 2018, but came under heavy domestic pressure after major losses in a second major conflict with Azerbaijan in 2020. In 2023, Azerbaijan retook the whole of the mountain enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, where ethnic Armenians had enjoyed de facto independence for decades. Tensions between the two neighbours remain high and the number of reported ceasefire violations has surged this year. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
18 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
Over 4,400 Indian nationals evacuated from Iran, Israel in 19 special flights so far: MEA
India has so far evacuated more than 4,400 Indian nationals from Iran and Israel in 19 special flights under Operation Sindhu launched on June 18, according to the Ministry of External Affairs read more Indian students returning from Iran via Armenia, under an evacuation operation facilitated by the Government of India. They are seen exiting from the Indira Gandhi International Airport, in New Delhi, on June 19. 110 students from Kashmir Valley reached New Delhi early Thursday. PTI India has so far evacuated more than 4,400 Indian nationals from Iran and Israel in 19 special flights under Operation Sindhu launched on June 18 to bring home its citizens amid an ongoing conflict between the two countries, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The evacuated Indian nationals included 'more than 1,500 women and 500 children', the MEA said in a statement on Friday. 'The government of India is deeply committed to the safety and well-being of its citizens abroad. Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's guidance, Operation Sindhu is another demonstration of this commitment,' it said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD 'We thank the governments of Iran, Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Armenia and Turkmenistan for their support during Operation Sindhu. Indian Missions will stay engaged with host governments and the Indian community in Iran, Israel and the wider West Asia region,' the MEA added. A batch of 173 Indians evacuated from Iran reached Delhi late on Thursday night in a flight from Armenian capital Yerevan, the MEA had said in a post on X. Responding to queries on Operation Sindhu at his weekly media briefing a day before, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said New Delhi was assessing the situation on the ground and a decision on the future course of action would be taken based on it. More than 3,400 Indian nationals have so far been evacuated in 14 flights from Iran since the start of Operation Sindhu, according to data shared by Jaiswal during the briefing. The MEA spokesperson later shared updated evacuee figures in a post on X after the arrival of the flight from Yerevan. 'A special evacuation flight from Yerevan, Armenia landed in New Delhi at 22:30 hrs on 26th June, bringing home 173 Indian nationals from Iran,' he said. 'As part of #OperationSindhu, a total of 4,415 Indian nationals (3,597 from Iran and 818 from Israel) have been evacuated so far using 19 special evacuation flights including 3 IAF aircraft. 14 OCI card-holders, 9 Nepali nationals, 4 Sri Lankan nationals and 1 Iranian spouse of an Indian national were also evacuated from Iran,' he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On June 24, India said while it remained 'deeply concerned about the prospects for overall and sustained regional security and stability', it welcomed reports of a ceasefire between Iran and Israel. Hours after US President Donald Trump's claims of an Iran-Israel ceasefire, the MEA had, in a statement, said 'India stands ready to play its part' to resolve the situation and insisted on 'dialogue and diplomacy' as the way forward. Jaiswal was asked on Thursday if India would continue Operation Sindhu after the Iran-Israel ceasefire and about the total number of Indian nationals evacuated from the two countries so far. 'We launched Operation Sindhu on June 18. We have around 10,000 people. Indian community members in Iran. And around 40,000 people in Israel who are Indian nationals,' he had said. One Iranian woman, who is the wife of an Indian national, has also been evacuated, Jaiswal had added. The majority of the evacuations were carried out through Mashhad, after Iran opened its airspace for the evacuation flights under Operation Sindhu on June 20 on India's request, the MEA said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Israel leg of Operation Sindhu commenced on June 23. Indian missions in Tel Aviv, Ramallah, Amman and Cairo facilitated the movement of Indian nationals through land borders to Jordan and Egypt. 'A total of 818 Indian nationals were evacuated, including students, workers and professionals. They were evacuated from Amman and Sharm al Sheikh from 22-25 June using four evacuation flights, including 3 IAF C-17 aircraft,' the MEA added. In view of the re-opening of the airspace, the evacuation operations were halted on June 25. Further actions will be taken based on the evolving situation in West Asia, the statement said. A special flight carrying 272 Indians and three Nepalese nationals from Iran arrived in Delhi a little past midnight (on June 26) from the Iranian city of Mashhad, Jaiswal had posted on X earlier. India evacuated 296 Indian citizens and four Nepalese nationals from Iran on Wednesday. On Tuesday, it evacuated more than 1,100 citizens from Iran and Israel. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It brought back 594 Indians from Israel, using C-17 heavy-lift aircraft of the Indian Air Force to fly out more than 400 people after they were moved out of Israel to Jordan and Egypt by land transit points. Also, 161 Indians were brought back in a chartered flight from Amman after they had moved to the Jordanian capital from Israel by road. A total of 573 Indians, three Sri Lankans and two Nepalese nationals were evacuated from Iran in two chartered flights on Tuesday, according to details shared by the MEA. Several other flights have brought Indian nationals back home after being evacuated from Iran. Israel and Iran fired hundreds of missiles and drones at each other's cities and military and strategic facilities since the hostilities began around two weeks ago. The tensions escalated significantly following the US bombing of three major Iranian nuclear sites on the morning of June 22. The first flight landed in New Delhi late on June 20 with 290 Indians and the second one landed in the capital on June 21 afternoon with 310 Indians. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Observer
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Observer
Police, clergy scuffle in Armenia as standoff escalates
YEREVAN: A scuffle broke out in Armenia on Friday between clergymen and police, part of an escalating standoff between the influential Church and the Caucasian nation's authorities. The Two sides have been at loggerheads since Catholicos Garegin II — the church's spiritual leader — began calling for Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to resign over Armenia's military defeat to Azerbaijan in 2020. The loss of the disputed Karabakh region to Azerbaijan in 2023, Armenia's arch-foe, has divided the country and escalated the dispute. On Wednesday, the Armenian authorities said they had foiled a coup plot involving a senior cleric who had rallied opposition to Pashinyan and more than a dozen other suspects. The latest confrontation erupted after police arrived at the residence of the head of the Apostolic Church to arrest another senior figure, archbishop Mikael Adjapahyan. He is accused of publicly calling for the government to be overthrown. Masked police attempted to enter the residence of Garegin II to arrest Adjapahyan. Prosecutors had earlier charged him with "public calls aimed at seizing power... and violently overthrowing the constitutional order". Following the scuffle between priests and law enforcement officers, Adjapahyan said he would surrender to police but denied any wrongdoing. "This is a blatant act of lawlessness against me," he said. "I have never been a threat to our country. The real threat sits in government. I won't hide. I'll go with them." But locals and priests closed the gates of the residence, preventing Adjapahyan from leaving the premises and surrendering to police. Armenia's security service said it would deploy additional forces to detain Adjapahyan. Earlier this month, Pashinyan escalated the feud with the church by accusing Garegin II of fathering an illegitimate child and urging believers to oust him. That prompted calls for Pashinyan to be excommunicated. An Armenian court put an influential cleric into two months of pre-trial detention on coup attempt charges, a day after authorities claimed to have foiled a plot to overthrow the government. On Thursday, "a court of general jurisdiction in Yerevan decided to send Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan to a pre-trial detention for a period of two months," one of his lawyers, Hovhannes Khudoyan, told journalists. Armenia's Investigative Committee said the court granted motions for pre-trial detention for all the detained, adding that "15 suspects have been placed in custody". Later on Thursday, Armenia's prosecutor general office announced it had opened a criminal case against another senior cleric. — AFP
