"Strong Armenia" to miss  parliamentary session due to  trial of   Catholicos Karekin II

ArmInfo.The "Strong Armenia" bloc will not participate in the parliamentary session tomorrow. Representatives of the opposition intend to go to Echmiadzin to express their support for Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II ahead of the court hearing, as announced by Narek Karapetyan, a member of the "Strong  Armenia" bloc, during a briefing.

Karapetyan described the scheduled court proceedings against the  Catholicos as "a shameful step by the authorities," calling it  unprecedented in the nation's history.  "Tomorrow at 4:00 PM,  together with our compatriots, we will be in Echmiadzin so that  everyone can see that playing with our religious feelings will have  consequences," the MP said.

 When asked by journalists regarding the bloc's plans if Aram  Vardevanyan's parliamentary election takes place after 4:00 PM,  Karapetyan emphasized that religious duty supersedes any political  process. He added that a formal decision concerning attendance at the  morning session of parliament will be announced at a later time.

Note, the initial court hearing regarding the criminal case involving  the Catholicos of All Armenians is set for August 7 at 4:00 PM at the  Armavir Regional Court of General Jurisdiction,  under the  chairmanship of Judge Hakob Manukyan.