Armenian church leader and six clergy to stand trial over defying court order
Armenia will try the head of its Apostolic Church and six other clerics for ignoring a civil court ruling, with the case set to start in Vagharshapat.
A trial is scheduled at the Armavir Regional Court in Vagharshapat for the head of Armenia’s Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, and six additional clergy accused of violating a civil court order. Prosecutors allege they did not restore Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, who was stripped of his rank earlier this year. If convicted, each could receive up to two years in prison.
The case deepens a bitter rivalry between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and the church, which has criticized the government’s handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Pashinyan has accused the Catholicos of personal misconduct, while church officials deny the allegations. Observers say the prosecution may be politically motivated and raises concerns about the independence of both the judiciary and the church.
Why it matters
The trial highlights a sharp power struggle between Armenia's government and its historic church, raising questions about judicial independence.
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