Protest leader plotted terror attack and coup, authorities say - Updated

Armenian authorities announced on Wednesday that they had thwarted a terror plot orchestrated by members of the protest movement led by Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan.

In a press release, the Investigative Committee of Armenia stated that the suspects had been planning terrorist attacks and a coup d’état since November 2024.

The movement, led by Galstanyan, is known as Srbazan Paykar (Sacred Struggle), and it began organizing anti-government demonstrations in mid-2024.

Authorities said Galstanyan had been recruiting his followers to form “strike teams” intended to carry out terrorist acts aimed at overthrowing the government and seizing power.

The suspects allegedly recruited mostly former military servicemembers and ex-police officers to join 25-man strike teams. Up to 250 such teams were formed, each with specific objectives, such as inciting clashes, blocking roads, paralyzing traffic nationwide, carrying out explosions, and committing other criminal acts to create panic, turmoil and seize power. 

According to authorities, the group had recruited over 1,000 individuals since January 2025 and had already acquired explosives.

The plot was uncovered by the National Security Service.

The Investigative Committee released what it described as audio recordings of conversations between the leaders and members of the movement obtained during the investigation.

Galstanyan has been placed under arrest. His home was searched by authorities.

Authorities said they searched over 90 addresses (homes of the leaders and members of the group) as part of the investigation and found evidence of the plot, including firearms and ammunition, lists of recruited individuals, plan of operations, military uniforms, radio communication devices, smoke grenades, drones, as well as a list of would-be government appointees following the seizure of power. 

Documents showing a detailed planning of the violent coup were also found.

16 persons have been indicted, 14 of whom have been placed under arrest. 

Update shows release of audio recordings and Galstanyan's arrest, as well as search conducted by law enforcement agencies at suspects' homes.