Third Armenian judge refuses to hear case against Catholicos

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. Photo: Photolure

On September 4, 2026, a third judge in Armenia refused to hear the criminal case against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and six bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church. The case materials were sent to the Court of Cassation to determine jurisdiction, The Insider reports.

The case was initially sent to a court in Armavir Province, where Etchmiadzin is located. The first judge recused himself, while the second transferred the case to Yerevan because the indictment did not clearly specify where the alleged offense had taken place.

The case against Karekin II is linked to a dispute involving Arman Saroyan, the former head of one of the Church’s eparchies. After his removal, a court allowed him to remain in office temporarily, but the ruling was not implemented. Saroyan was later defrocked, and a criminal case was opened against the Catholicos.

Holy Etchmiadzin described the prosecution of Karekin II as unlawful state interference in the internal affairs of the Armenian Apostolic Church. Amid the conflict with the Church leadership, the Armenian authorities also included in the government program a provision on reforming the Church and replacing its head.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that Amsterdam called on the international community to protect the Armenian Church from government interference.

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