A motion has been filed to terminate the criminal case against Garegin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and 6 other bishops.
Modern.az reports that this was stated by Ara Zohrabyan, the lawyer of the clergymen, at the court session held on September 18. The defense side submits several motions to suspend criminal prosecution and proceedings.
According to Zohrabyan, the state does not have the authority to determine who is and who is not a bishop.
“This is exclusively a canonical and internal matter of the church,” the lawyer said.
The defense believes that Armenian legislation does not provide grounds for interference in the internal management and hierarchy of the church. Zohrabyan had previously stated that the appointment of bishops and other clergymen belongs to the internal autonomy of the Armenian Apostolic Church.
The criminal case was initiated against the background of Garegin II's decision to remove Arman Saroyan, the former head of the Masis diocese, from office. The prosecution claims that the Catholicos prevented the execution of a court decision that had entered into force. The defense, however, does not accept the accusation.
In addition to Garegin II, six bishops who are members of the Supreme Spiritual Council are also accused in the case. The Catholicos and bishops did not attend the preliminary court hearing held in Etchmiadzin on September 18, and their interests were represented by lawyers.
