Pashinyan called for the head of the Armenian Church to be replaced

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan called on followers of the Armenian Apostolic Church to unite around the demand to replace Catholicos Garegin II (Ktrich Nersisyan).

According to Pashinyan, he has evidence that the Catholicos violated his vow of celibacy and that he has a child.

“According to this, according to canon law, Garegin II could not be a bishop, archbishop, be elected and cannot be Catholicos. He must vacate the Patriarchal residence,” the prime minister wrote on his Telegram channel.

Pashinyan recently reported that Russia ordered the Armenian Apostolic Church to fight the authorities. According to the local publication Hraparak, the Armenian leader said that, on Moscow’s instructions, members of the clergy must make anti-government statements.

Earlier, Yerevan called for a criminal case to be opened against Pashinyan for insulting the church. The initiative group "Ayakve" addressed the Prosecutor General with this message. According to the statement, the actions of the Prime Minister "are proportionate to the state's interference in the internal affairs of the church," and the Constitution of Armenia guarantees that "the state does not interfere in the affairs of the church or any other religious organization."

Последние новости
Georgian Dream further tightens regulations for assemblies and demonstrations
Politics
Georgian Dream further tightens regulations for assemblies and demonstrations
8 December 2025

Georgia's ruling party has initiated amendments to the Law on Assemblies and Manifestations and the Code of Administrative Offenses, the discussion and adoption of which will proceed expeditiously. According to the bill, organizers of events at "places where people move" will be required to notify state authorities in advance.
The North Caucasus republics ranked last in the car affordability rankings for families
Economy
The North Caucasus republics ranked last in the car affordability rankings for families
8 December 2025

A RIA Novosti study revealed significant differences in car affordability across Russian regions. The worst situation is observed in the North Caucasus republics, where only a small proportion of families can afford to purchase and maintain a new car on credit.
Former Georgian Interior Ministry Official: Banned Substance Used to Disperse Rally at Central Election Commission in 2020
Politics
Former Georgian Interior Ministry Official: Banned Substance Used to Disperse Rally at Central Election Commission in 2020
8 December 2025

Former Georgian Interior Ministry official Lasha Shergelashvili, who served as the head of the Armaments Department of the Special Operations Directorate, said on Formula TV that a banned substance was used to suppress a protest outside the Central Election Commission in 2020. When asked if he had any suspicions, he replied that he "knew for sure that it was used" as he was there at the time.
The Speaker of the Russian State Duma questioned Georgia's prospects for European integration due to its adoption of an anti-LGBT law
Politics
The Speaker of the Russian State Duma questioned Georgia's prospects for European integration due to its adoption of an anti-LGBT law
8 December 2025

Russian State Duma Speaker Vyacheslav Volodin recalled that anti-LGBT laws have been in effect in Russia for three years, prohibiting any propaganda of LGBT rights, pedophilia, and gender reassignment. He also noted that, according to the amendment to the country's Constitution, "marriage is a union between a man and a woman," emphasizing that this is the choice of Russian citizens.