Armenia has opened a trial against the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church (one of the world's oldest Christian institutions, with deep roots in Armenian national identity) and six senior clergy on charges of acting as agents of Russia, offences that carry a prison sentence of up to two years. The case centres on the country's deepening political rift between the church hierarchy and Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. Critics argue the prosecution is politically motivated and forms part of a broader government effort to suppress opposition voices.