Armenian authorities bar six more clergy from leaving country

Six senior clergymen of the Armenian Apostolic Church have been summoned as defendants in a criminal case and banned from leaving the country, preventing them from attending an upcoming bishops’ conference in Austria.

The Armenian Apostolic Church accused the authorities of interfering in its internal affairs and violating human rights, Caliber.Az reports via Armenian media.

Those affected are the Primate of the Gugark Diocese, Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan; the Primate of the Syunik Diocese, Bishop Makar Hakobyan; the Director of External Relations and Protocol of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan; Bishop Haykazun Najarian; the Director of Church and Youth Education Programs, Archbishop Vahan Hovhannisyan; and the head of the Administrative and Economic Department.

The case is linked to the dismissal and subsequent defrocking of former cleric Arman (Gevorg) Saroyan, which investigators say amounts to non-compliance with a court ruling.

Speaking to reporters after questioning, Bishop Makar Hakobyan said he was unable to comment on the substance of the case due to restrictions imposed by investigators, but stressed that decisions of the Catholicos are binding on all clergy.

Saroyan was removed from his post as diocesan head on January 10 by order of Catholicos Garegin II over abuse of power, improper performance of duties and pressure on clergy. Saroyan later filed a lawsuit seeking reinstatement.

On January 16, court bailiffs barred the Armenian Apostolic Church from obstructing Saroyan’s activities as diocesan head. On January 27, the Supreme Spiritual Council stripped him of his episcopal rank.

The Investigative Committee said this decision constituted a refusal to comply with a court ruling, serving as grounds for opening the criminal case.

By Jeyhun Aghazada