Ekho Kavkaza: The government of Armenia decided to close the church canal of Shogakat

The government of Armenia has decided to shut down the church tv channel Shogakat on 1 January 2026—reports Armenian Radio Free Europe.

This decision, as indicated in the explanatory memorandum, is based on amendments to the Audiovisual Media Act, adopted by Parliament in October 2025.

In addition, the Government of Armenia approved amendments to the Earth Code, which supply for the deprivation of the Armenian Apostolic Church's right to get land land free of charge. At the same time, the Church will hold the right to free usage of land belonging to the state and local communities. The paper is to be examined by Parliament.

Earlier, the Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Paszynian criticized the Armenian Apostolic Church, accused Catholic Karekin-II of violating the rule of celibacy and called on him to resign. The ultimate spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church issued a message stating that Paszynian had begun a “another campaign” aimed at the Church.

Against the background of the confrontation between the authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church in Armenia, respective high-ranking hierarchs were detained. In June 2025, the leader of the Holy Fight movement, Archbishop of Bagrat Galstanjana, was arrested, in September — head of the eparchy of the Shirak Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop of Mikael Ajapachachjan, in October — head of the eparchy of Aragacotn Mkrtycz Proshan, and in December — head of the law firm of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Archbishop of Arshak Chaczatrjan. Galstanjan and Ajapachjan have been accused of publically calling for the overthrow of power, Asking us to make it harder to attend the assemblies and to influence the results of the 2021 election.

Source: ekhokavkaza.com
Study Bulletin: BIS