Armenian investigators deny Garegin II permission to attend Ilia II funeral in Georgia

Armenia’s Investigative Committee has rejected a request to allow Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II to travel to Georgia to attend the funeral of Catholicos-Patriarch of All Georgia Ilia II, according to his lawyer.

Ara Zograbyan said that the Armenian Apostolic Church leader had received an official invitation from the Georgian Orthodox Church to take part in the funeral service and Divine Liturgy scheduled for March 22, 2026 in Tbilisi, Caliber.Az reports per Armenian media. 

Zograbyan explained that, in light of the invitation, he had submitted a request to the investigator seeking permission for Garegin II to leave Armenia for several days and travel to Georgia. He added that he had since received a formal decision from the Investigative Committee rejecting the request.

No immediate explanation for the refusal was made public.

By Sabina Mammadli