Gaspar Karapetyan, Chairman of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun’s Armenian Cause (Hay Dat) Committee of Europe, has condemned what he calls the Armenian government’s “campaign of vilification” against the Armenian Apostolic Church and its clergy. In a public statement, he also expressed deep concern over widespread political persecution of citizens exercising their constitutional rights.

Karapetyan called on the Armenian authorities to “wake up and change their direction,” warning that the country is heading toward authoritarian rule and severe human rights violations.

“For a long time, I have spoken about the gravest existential moments for our nation, where both external and, unfortunately, internal threats are deeply troubling. Unity is essential if we are to confront the challenges ahead,” he stated.

He expressed particular alarm over what he described as a coordinated campaign of defamation against the Church and its servants, including “inappropriate and indecent language” from Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan himself. Karapetyan stressed that the Armenian Church has played a pivotal role in preserving national identity, language, and faith throughout history.

He rejected the claim that the government targets only individual clergy, not the Church, stating: “The people are not naive. They know that attacking the clergy is an attack on the Church itself.”

Karapetyan also denounced the arrest of businessman Samvel Karapetyan, whom he praised for patriotic dedication and economic contributions, calling his detention politically motivated. “I have never met or had any connection with Mr. Samvel Karapetyan—our only link is a shared surname,” he noted.

He criticized the government’s dismissive attitude toward diaspora citizens, whose investments, he argued, far exceed those of current officials. He further condemned renewed threats and pressure on members of the ARF Dashnaktsutyun, warning that such actions are signs of deepening autocracy.

Addressing Prime Minister Pashinyan directly, he recalled the 2018 statement where the PM had praised ministers Artsvik Minasyan and Artur Khachatryan for achieving key reforms. “How can they now suddenly be considered dangerous criminals?” he asked.

Karapetyan concluded that the country is facing a critical moment and called on every Armenian to take responsibility. “I urge the Prime Minister and his circle to end this policy, which could have grave consequences for our homeland and our people,” he warned.