The Investigative Committee has initiated a criminal case, effectively launching criminal prosecution against His Holiness the Catholicos and members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, as they prepare to depart Armenia to attend the Assembly of Bishops.
The Assembly was convened amid escalating pressure from Pashinyan’s government under the banner of so-called “church reforms” and is expected to address the Church’s institutional response to state interference, internal discipline, and the preservation of canonical governance.
Human rights defender Ruben Melikyan stated that the case concerns an alleged offense of minor gravity and is aimed at imposing a preventive measure prohibiting His Holiness the Catholicos and members of the Supreme Spiritual Council from leaving the country.
“This is a deliberate attempt to obstruct the convening of the Assembly of Bishops,” he said.
