Armenia's PM accuses head of Church of fathering child in febrile political row

The spat threatens to split society, affect elections and harm peace with neighbouring Azerbaijan.

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"Your Grace, go fool around with your uncle's wife. What do you want from me?" said Pashinyan.

He also accused the supreme spiritual leader - Catholicos Karekin II - of breaking his vow of celibacy and fathering a child, calling on him to resign. The BBC has approached the Church for comment but has not had a response.

Until now the Church and government had found a way to co-exist, but the row threatens to split an already polarised Armenian society still further – and affect the outcome of next year's election.

It could also harm peace talks that have the potential to re-shape the entire region of the South Caucasus, after Armenia's bitter defeat in a war against Azerbaijan.