By Siranush Adamyan
An international religious freedom watchdog has criticized Armenia's criminal case against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and six senior bishops, arguing that the prosecution violates the Armenian Apostolic Church's constitutionally protected autonomy just days before the case is due to reach court.
Forum 18, a Norway-based organization that monitors freedom of religion, published its analysis on Monday ahead of a preliminary hearing scheduled for August 7 at the Armavir Region Court of First Instance. The seven defendants face charges of failing to execute a judicial act or obstructing its execution after refusing to reinstate dismissed Bishop Gevorg Saroyan despite a court order. If convicted, they face penalties ranging from fines to up to two years in prison.
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The case stems from the Church's Jan. 10 dismissal of Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, who had publicly backed Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's campaign to replace the Church's leadership. After Saroyan challenged the decision, an Armavir court ordered his temporary reinstatement on Jan. 16 pending a final ruling. The Church refused to comply, maintaining that the appointment and dismissal of clergy are matters of canon law beyond the jurisdiction of civil courts.
Forum 18 argues that Armenia's Constitution and legislation guarantee the autonomy of religious organizations and prohibit state interference in their internal affairs. It also cites Armenia's international human rights obligations, saying they require authorities to respect the self-governance of religious institutions.
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"The case from the very beginning is not in line with international standards on freedom of religion or belief and violates the right of autonomy of religious institutions," Isabella Sargsyan of the Eurasia Partnership Foundation told Forum 18. "The state cannot interfere in the hierarchy of religious institutions. Cases of defrocked priests are not admissible in civil courts."
Ahead of publication, Forum 18 said it sought explanations from several Armenian state institutions. It said the General Prosecutor's Office did not respond to questions asking why criminal charges had been brought over what the organization described as an internal decision of an autonomous religious body and how the prosecution could be considered free from political influence.
The organization also contacted Investigator Ara Avakyan, who led the criminal investigation, to ask why Church leaders were being prosecuted for what it characterized as an internal ecclesiastical matter. According to Forum 18, Avakyan replied, "Don't ask anything. Goodbye," before ending the phone call.
Forum 18 said it had earlier submitted similar questions to the Investigative Committee, including why investigators had opened a criminal case over a Church disciplinary decision and how they could assure the public that the proceedings were not politically motivated. In a written response, the committee declined to answer the substance of the questions, citing the confidentiality of the preliminary investigation, and said the question about political motives did not fall within its competence.
The Office of Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan responded to Forum 18 by saying it could not interfere in pending judicial proceedings or express views that might influence the administration of justice. The office did not comment on the merits of the case or say whether it would monitor the trial.
Lawyer Armine Fanyan, who represents two of the bishops, argued that all seven defendants should be acquitted, describing the proceedings as unlawful. Forum 18 also reported that two bishops successfully challenged the extension of the criminal investigation, with a court ruling that investigators had exceeded the statutory time limit, although prosecutors have appealed those decisions.
The trial comes against the backdrop of a prolonged confrontation between the government and the Armenian Apostolic Church. Since 2025, Pashinyan has repeatedly called on Catholicos Karekin II to resign and advocated changes to the Church's leadership, while the Church has accused the government of interfering in its constitutionally protected internal affairs.
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