Armenia’s Criminal Appeals Court today overturned an October 2025 lower court’s decision that found Archbishop Mikayel Ajapahyan guilty on charges that he publicly called for seizing power and overthrowing constitutional order in Armenia.

The lower court sentenced the clergyman to two years imprisonment.

The Appeals Court has sent the case to the Shirak Provincial Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction for a new trial.

The Appeals Court also lifted the house arrest order on Ajapahyan but maintained that the clergyman must remain in Armenia.

In February 2026, Armenia’s Criminal Appeals Court decided to place the jailed  Ajapahyan, under house arrest given the clergyman’s poor health.

Ajapahyan has consistently denied the charges and claims he’s being politically persecuted as part of the government's actions targeting church members.