In an interview with NEWS.am, renowned international human rights lawyer Robert Amsterdam addressed the ongoing situation surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church and the Catholicos of All Armenians, as well as the Prayer Breakfast recently held in Yerevan, which was attended by Paula White-Cain, Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office.

"Prayer Breakfasts have become a tool of foreign policy"

Commenting on the Prayer Breakfast held in Yerevan, Amsterdam noted that he in no way questions the good intentions of the American delegates and other attending clergy, who "are certainly unaware of the political games being played." However, according to him, such events are being used as "a tool of American foreign policy."

"We have seen Mr. Zelensky use this uncompromisingly in his attacks on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, and now we see it in Armenia in an attempt to legitimize Pashinyan's attack on the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. There is no justification for holding a Prayer Breakfast in Yerevan while legal proceedings are being conducted against the Catholicos. It is a disgrace, and I am simply dumbfounded that the organizers have once again decided to reward with a Prayer Breakfast individuals who are attempting to illegally seize power," the attorney emphasized.

He stressed that what Pashinyan is doing constitutes a spiritual coup: "He is attempting to exercise dominion and control over the followers of Jesus Christ. This is completely contrary to Armenian law, international law, and Article 9 of the European Convention on Human Rights."

The attorney also found it noteworthy that guests attending the Prayer Breakfast, including Paula White-Cain, Senior Advisor to the White House Faith Office, attended the Divine Liturgy at Holy Etchmiadzin, after which White-Cain was received by the Catholicos of All Armenians. In his view, this visit by high-ranking American guests was in itself a clear signal that Pashinyan's actions would not meet with approval.

"The government's report is straight out of 'Alice in Wonderland'"

Commenting on the 74-page report published by the government regarding an alleged "crisis" within the Church, the international human rights defender stated that it lacks any substantiation and resembles a poorly executed PR assignment:

"This is a report straight out of Alice in Wonderland, not even fit for a group of high school students. It is an embarrassment, has no substantiation, is contrary to law, and is a complete joke. Nikol Pashinyan, despite not even winning 50% of the vote, made it clear that he intends to use his power to destroy the Church. This in itself is a testament to the power of the Church-that they had to produce such a pile of garbage."

Amsterdam noted that, in his assessment, the report contains no substance: "It is made up of rumors and lies, and the government should hang its head in shame. It is a disgrace that they have invested so much effort in Pashinyan's personal battle—a battle he will never win. It would have been better to spend that time fighting for the return of the hostages and for the right of return for those displaced from Artsakh.

"Secular power cannot interfere in the internal procedures of the Church"

Speaking about potential legislative interference by the state in the Armenian Apostolic Church governance, Robert Amsterdam highlighted that this constitutes a gross violation of international law:

"It is so simple and straightforward: a secular power cannot be allowed to interfere in the internal procedures of the Church. This has been settled law for hundreds of years. Mr. Pashinyan is attempting a power grab against the Church, which will ultimately be unsuccessful and will be overturned in court, just as happened in Bulgaria."

Touching upon the response of the international community, the lawyer noted: "Mr. Pashinyan is currently riding the wave of “Russophobia” that has engulfed the West, and the West is currently very cautious about saying anything. However, this situation will not last, and such interference in the Church will not be tolerated. The international Christian community must wake up and recognize that this behavior by the Pashinyan government is completely out of order and unacceptable."