Bright Armenia Party demands the immediate termination of the criminal proceedings initiated against the Catholicos of All Armenians and the bishops, according to a statement issued by the party’s governing council.
Bright Armenia described the criminal prosecution and upcoming trial of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and six bishops who are members of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church as a new stage in the discrediting of state institutions and anti-state actions seen in recent years.
“From a legal standpoint, we regard this process as an unacceptable and gross interference in the self-governance and internal affairs of a religious organization. Moreover, it grossly violates the fundamental right to freedom of conscience, belief and religion guaranteed by the Constitution of the Republic of Armenia and Armenia’s international obligations.
We strongly condemn this process and demand that it be stopped immediately, that the initiated criminal proceedings be terminated and that an apology be offered to the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church on behalf of the state for the damage caused.
At the same time, we are convinced that those who unlawfully initiated this case, those who gave the political instructions behind it and those responsible will be punished starting the day after a change of government in Armenia,” the statement said.
Judge Hakob Manukyan has recused himself and declined to hear the case involving Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and six bishops, lawyer Ara Zohrabyan told reporters outside the courthouse.
The hearing at the Court of General Jurisdiction of Armavir Province was held behind closed doors and lasted about 30 minutes. People gathered outside the courthouse greeted Karekin II with applause and chants of “Vehapar,” (Your Holiness) sang a hymn for the preservation of the Mother See and then recited the Lord’s Prayer together. Representatives of opposition and extra-parliamentary political forces were also present outside the courthouse.
