Armenian Clergy Face Court in Church Dispute

The head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, and six other senior clergymen are due to appear in court on Friday. Prosecutors accuse them of failing to comply with a civil court order that temporarily reinstated a bishop removed by the church. If convicted, they face up to two years in prison.

The case represents the most serious legal challenge to date against the leadership of the Armenian Apostolic Church, which adopted Christianity as the state religion in 301 AD. It comes amid an escalating dispute with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan over his leadership and his efforts to reach a peace agreement with Azerbaijan.

Lawyer Anna Melikyan argues that the proceedings violate the church's constitutional independence. Opposition figures and church leaders have described the case as politically motivated persecution of critics of the government.

Pashinyan has repeatedly called on Karekin II to resign and has accused senior figures in the Armenian Apostolic Church of acting in Russia's interests, allegations the church rejects.

The case centers on Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, whom the church removed from office over alleged abuse of authority and dereliction of duty. Saroyan challenged the dismissal in court and had previously called on Karekin II to resign while expressing support for the prime minister.

(Reuters, bak)