Hayaqve appeals World Council of Churches, UN, and international  organizations regarding Armenian authorities` interference in Church  affairs 

ArmInfo. The National Civic Association "Hayaqve" has once again appealed to the World Council of Churches, the UN, the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief, and other international organizations regarding the  interference of the de facto authorities of the Republic of Armenia  in the internal life and canonical self-government of the Armenian  Apostolic Holy Church. This was stated in a statement by the  association.

"We have drawn particular attention to the criminal case brought  against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and six bishops and  archbishops of the Supreme Spiritual Council, as well as the  preliminary court hearing scheduled for today, August 28," the  statement reads.

In this vein, the letter notes that Articles 17 and 18 of the  Constitution of the Republic of Armenia guarantee the freedom of  activity of religious organizations, their independence from the  state, and recognize the exclusive mission of the Armenian Apostolic  Holy Church in the spiritual life of the Armenian people and the  preservation of national culture and identity.

"Consequently, the state cannot use a judicial act concerning the  internal, spiritual, and canonical life of the Church as grounds for  criminal prosecution by a secular state. We called on international  organizations to keep this process in the spotlight, assess it within  the framework of international standards of freedom of religion or  belief, the institutional autonomy of the Church, and the rule of  law, and ensure independent international monitoring.

We, as followers of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and citizens  of the Republic of Armenia, advocate for the protection of the  legality of the Republic of Armenia, the constitutional order,  freedom of religion, and the autonomy of our national Church. This is  not only a matter of religious responsibility, but also a matter of  constitutional and national responsibility," the letter states.

As a reminder, since May 2025, the Armenian authorities have been  pursuing an active anti-church policy and are seeking the resignation  of Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, who is elected to this  position for life. This campaign has targeted both clergy and  citizens who support the Church. In February of this year, the  Armenian Prosecutor's Office opened a criminal case against  Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II, and he is prohibited from  leaving the country. The case is based on charges of obstructing the  execution of a judicial decision related to the defrocking of Arman  Saroyan. Khachatur Galstyan has been appointed prosecutor in the  criminal case. Several other high-ranking clergy are also involved in  the case.  On August 7, Judge Hakob Manukyan, who was scheduled to  preside over the first hearing of the case against the Catholicos of  All Armenians and six bishops, recused himself.