A criminal case has been opened in Armenia against the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church

The Armenian Prosecutor's Office has launched a criminal investigation against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II. Lawyer Ara Zohrabyan reported that his client has been banned from leaving the country. He believes this is being done to disrupt the Bishops' Council planned for Austria.

A travel ban has also been imposed on six bishops, members of the Spiritual Council, who were scheduled to participate in the Council in Austria (February 16-19).

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan stated on February 13 that holding the Council abroad is seen as an attempt to "extract" the Catholicosate from Armenia and that the authorities will not allow it.

A criminal case has been opened against Karekin II on charges of obstructing the execution of a judicial decision. The case concerns the former head of the Masiatsotn Diocese, Arman Saroyan, who was previously defrocked. On January 10, Karekin II removed Saroyan from office and then defrocked him. On January 15, Saroyan filed a lawsuit challenging the decision. The court ruled against Saroyan's obstruction of his duties as head of the diocese until a final decision was made.

Earlier, Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement with ten clergymen on reforming the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC). The statement calls for a public announcement of the reform program and the removal of the current Catholicos. Pashinyan also claimed that Karekin II was planning a military coup in the country. The prime minister accused him and the Armenian clergy of working for Russia. Recently, the Armenian government launched a petition drive to force the resignation of the Catholicos.

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