Joel Veldkamp - Christian Solidarity International Visits Armenian Bishops in Jail | Ep 513, Feb 4, 2026

Episode Summary

Joel Veldkamp (CSI) returns to discuss CSI’s latest Armenia visit, including access to jailed clergy and the condition and message of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan. The conversation then shifts to Armenia’s posture at international religious freedom forums, including the IRF Summit in Washington, and whether the widening pressure on bishops (including travel restrictions tied to the planned Austria assembly) is getting outside attention. The episode closes with the emerging international record, including a Council of Europe exchange involving Ararat Mirzoyan and questions about whether the government can sustain its narrative ahead of major upcoming international meetings.

📄 View Episode 513 Notes
Categories: Armenia, Politics, Armenian Church
Tags: Armenian News, Joel Veldkamp, Christian Solidarity International, Armenia, Artsakh, Nagorno Karabakh, Ethnic Cleansing, Armenian Church, Clergy Arrests, Religious Repression, Human Rights, CSI, Apostolic Church, Nikol Pashinyan, Religious Freedom, Human Rights Armenia, Jailed Clergy, John Eibner, Samvel Karapetyan, Narek Karapetyan, Aram Vardevanyan, Bagrat Galstanyan, Armenian Catholicos, Mikayel Ajapahyan, Arshak Khachatryan, Erich von Tobel, Save Armenia, Paul Murray, Rafael Ishkhanyan, ACPR, Armenian Center for Political Rights