Judge decides to refer case of Catholicos of All Armenians and six  bishops to Yerevan Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction

ArmInfo.Judge Serzh Rushanyan of the Armavir Regional Court of General Jurisdiction has decided to refer the case of His Holiness Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and six bishops, members of the Supreme Spiritual Council, to the Yerevan Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction. He announced this on  August 28 during a regular hearing held at the Vagharshapat Court Residence in Etchmiadzin.

He noted that the court must decide whether it is appropriate to hear  the case in the Armavir Court. In response, defense attorney Ara  Zohrabyan recalled that the events took place in Etchmiadzin, and  therefore, in his opinion, there was no need to transfer the case to  Yerevan. However, despite this, the judge decided to transfer the  case.

Previously, during the hearing, the prosecution had requested a  closed hearing under the pretext of "a threat to my privacy due to  the ongoing media campaign." "There was a media campaign against me.  Specifically, threats were made against me, including before the  hearing. There were even death threats. There are materials proving  this, which are available for review. Therefore, I ask the court,  taking this into account, to hold the hearing behind closed doors,"  noted Arman Saroyan (formerly Primate of the Masiatsotn Diocese,  Gevorg Saroyan - ed.).

Zohrabyan, for his part, opposed the motion, emphasizing to the judge  that an open hearing guarantees the protection of the defendant's  interests. "The victim has already publicly expressed his concerns.  And under these circumstances, I see no need to consider the motion  to hold the hearing behind closed doors," the lawyer stated.

After hearing both sides, the judge decided to deny the motion and  declared the hearing open.

It should be noted that citizens gathered in front of the courthouse  booed Arman Saroyan upon his arrival for the hearing, shouting  "shame" and "traitor" after him.

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 banned 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 was 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. The case was  subsequently assigned to Judge Serzh Rushanyan. The preliminary  hearing in the criminal case against the Catholicos of All Armenians  and six bishops took place on August 28, 2026, at 4:30 PM at the  Vagharshapat Courthouse in Etchmiadzin.