168.am — The criminal case involving His Holiness Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and 6 bishops has been referred to the Armavir Regional Court of General Jurisdiction, where it has been assigned to Judge Hakob Manukyan. The first preliminary hearing is scheduled for August 7 at 4:00 PM at the court building in Etchmiadzin.
The Catholicos is accused of obstructing the enforcement of a judicial act through the abuse of official powers. The charges stem from Karekin II's decree defrocking the former Primate of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, Arman Saroyan, which was viewed as a move contradicting the court's decision to apply interim measures to secure the claim. This is a historically unprecedented and grave situation.
This marks the second instance in the last hundred years that the state has exerted criminal pressure on the Catholicos of All Armenians. The first occurred during the Soviet era under Khoren I Muradbekyan, which ended in his tragic death. Since 2018, a series of state pressures against the church have been observed, including the cancellation of bishops' passports, the termination of police protection, the exclusion of ecclesiastical institutions from public schools and the army, as well as criminal prosecutions against clergy members.
Regardless of political views, it is evident that the institution of the Catholicos of All Armenians is one of the cornerstones of Armenian statehood and identity. Such processes go beyond ordinary legal disputes, impacting national solidarity and social stability. It is regrettable that the consequences of this policy will ultimately affect society as a whole.
