Armenian Catholicos appears in unprecedented criminal trial as judge recuses himself

By Siranush Adamyan

Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II appeared before a criminal court on Friday in an unprecedented trial, becoming the first head of the Armenian Apostolic Church to face criminal proceedings in the country's modern history. The opening hearing ended without substantive proceedings after the presiding judge recused himself, sending the case to another judge. 

Judge Hakob Manukyan announced his recusal at the opening hearing at the Vagharshapat Court of First Instance. Defense lawyer Ara Zohrabyan said the judge explained that he had previously worked as a lawyer and believed this could raise doubts about his impartiality, despite Zohrabyan arguing that it did not constitute legal grounds for recusal. The case will now be reassigned to another judge, who will schedule a new preliminary hearing.

"I welcome the judge's decision from the standpoint that he refused to become part of this shameful process," Zohrabyan told reporters after the hearing.

Following the hearing, Karekin II left the courthouse and walked to the Mother Cathedral to join a joint prayer with clergy and supporters gathered in Vagharshapat.

The prosecution accuses Karekin II and six members of the Supreme Spiritual Council of failing to comply with a court order requiring the temporary reinstatement of former Masyatsotn Diocese Primate Bishop Gevorg Saroyan while his civil lawsuit against the Church is pending. Prosecutors argue that the Church leadership deliberately obstructed enforcement of the ruling after defrocking Saroyan despite the court order and notifications from the enforcement service.

The Armenian Apostolic Church rejects the charges, maintaining that the appointment and dismissal of bishops are matters governed exclusively by canon law and therefore fall outside the jurisdiction of state courts. Saroyan was removed by Karekin II in January over what the Church described as abuse of office, negligence and pressure against clergy. Since his dismissal, Saroyan has aligned himself with a group of bishops calling for the Catholicos' resignation.

Religious leaders and rights groups raise concerns 

The trial has prompted mounting criticism from senior Armenian Church institutions and international organizations.

In the days leading up to the hearing, Catholicos Aram I of the Great House of Cilicia, the Eastern Diocese of the Armenian Church of America, the Armenian Diocese of Canada and several bishops from Europe and the Middle East called on the Armenian authorities to end the prosecution, arguing that disputes over Church governance should be resolved under canon law rather than through the criminal justice system.

Also read: Catholicos Aram I, U.S. Eastern Diocese join calls criticizing trial of Catholicos Karekin II

On the day of the hearing, the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem also issued a statement warning that state intervention in the Church's internal canonical affairs creates a dangerous precedent for relations between the state and the Armenian Apostolic Church. It said compelling the Catholicos to appear in court amid a climate of public pressure could not be viewed as a routine legal procedure and urged the authorities to respect religious freedom and avoid actions that deepen national divisions.

The statements mean that three of the Armenian Apostolic Church's four hierarchical sees — the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Catholicosate of the Great House of Cilicia and the Armenian Patriarchate of Jerusalem — have publicly criticized the proceedings. No public statement has been issued by the Armenian Patriarchate of Constantinople.

The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) has likewise called for the indictment to be withdrawn, saying the prosecution raises serious concerns about religious freedom, Church autonomy and the rule of law.

The case has also attracted wider international attention. Religious freedom watchdog Forum 18 has argued that the prosecution constitutes state interference in the internal affairs of the Armenian Apostolic Church, while six United Nations human rights experts have separately questioned Armenia's recent use of criminal and terrorism-related charges against senior clergy, raising broader concerns about religious freedom, due process and compliance with international human rights standards.

Also read: UN experts challenge Armenia over terrorism charges against archbishop and supporters

Later on Friday, the World Council of Churches (WCC) also voiced concern over the situation, becoming the latest international Christian body to criticize the Armenian authorities' handling of the dispute. WCC central committee moderator Bishop Dr. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm and general secretary Rev. Prof. Dr. Jerry Pillay warned against "undue interference in inner church matters," affirmed the Armenian Apostolic Church's "vital role" in the life of the Armenian people, and expressed hope that the conflict would be resolved in a way that promotes "the flourishing of the whole Armenian people."