The Catholicos` brother was sentenced to 2 years and 5 months probation, and his nephew to 3 years and 5 months in prison.

ArmInfo. The Armavir Regional Court of General Jurisdiction sentenced the brother of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Gevorg Nersisyan, to two years and five months of probation, and his nephew, Hambardzum Nersisyan, to three years, five months, and 25 days in prison. The decision was announced on November 12 by Judge Gevorg Manukyan of the Armavir Regional Court of General Jurisdiction.

He recalled that Gevorg and Hambardzum Nersisyan were found guilty of coercion to campaign or abstention from campaigning, as well as obstruction of campaigning activities (under Article 211, Part 2, Clause 5 of the Criminal Code of Armenia).

The court sentenced Gevorg Nersisyan to three years in prison. At the same time, pursuant to Article 75 of the Armenian Criminal Code, the period of six months and five days spent in custody was deducted from the sentence. As a result, the final sentence was two years, five months, and 25 days. Furthermore, applying the provisions of Article 84 of the Armenian Criminal Code, the court suspended the sentence and placed Gevorg Nersisyan on probation for two years.

"During the probationary period, Nersisyan is not allowed to leave Armenia without the consent of the competent authority. Furthermore, if he changes his place of residence, he is required to notify his new address as soon as possible." "The administrative supervision, bail, and ban imposed on Gevorg Nersisyan have been left in effect until the court decision comes into force, after which they are subject to cancellation," the judge stated.

The court sentenced Hambardzum Nersisyan to three years' imprisonment under Article 211, Part 2, Clause 5 of the Armenian Criminal Code. Six months and five days of pretrial detention were deducted from this sentence. As a result, the sentence is now two years, five months, and 25 days. Furthermore, in accordance with Article 75 of the Armenian Criminal Code, the court partially added one year of the three years imposed on Hambardzum Nersisyan by the Armavi Court of General Jurisdiction, determining the final sentence of three years, five months, and 25 days' imprisonment. "The execution of Hambardzum Nersisyan's sentence has been postponed until his newborn child reaches the age of six." A probationary period has been established for this period. During this probationary period, Hambardzum Nersisyan is not entitled to leave Armenia without the consent of the competent authority. If he changes his place of residence, he is also obligated to notify the relevant authority of his new address as soon as possible. The administrative supervision, bail, and ban on absence imposed on Hambardzum Nersisyan will remain in effect until the court decision enters into force, after which they are subject to cancellation," Manukyan stated.

The judge added that the court's decision may be appealed to the Criminal Court of Appeals.

As a reminder, on November 2, 2025, lawyer Ara Zohrabyan reported the arrest of Gevorg Nersisyan and Hambardzum Nersisyan. They were charged with hooliganism and obstructing election campaigning. On November 3, the court ordered two months of pretrial detention for Gevorg Nersisyan and one month for Hambardzum Nersisyan. These pretrial detentions were subsequently extended. On February 18, 2026, the Armavir Regional Court of First Instance amended the pretrial detention measures for the brother and nephew of His Holiness Catholicos Garegin II. Instead of pretrial detention, the court ordered three months of house arrest for them, with bail of 1 million drams each, and a ban on unauthorized leave. Furthermore, the court limited their contact with individuals, allowing only close relatives and lawyers. The pretrial detention measure was later changed to administrative supervision.

Lawyer Ara Zohrabyan published a video recording of the incident in connection with this, noting that there was no hooliganism, much less the alleged obstruction of campaigning. Independent human rights activists believe that the Armenian authorities are attempting to pressure Garegin II and force him to voluntarily leave the Mother See of Etchmiadzin.