Trial Begins in Armenia Against Head of the Apostolic Church Amid Conflict with Pashinyan
On August 6, a trial commenced in Armenia against Catholicos Garegin II and several other high-ranking church officials. The case is linked to their refusal to comply with a court ruling reinstating one of the bishops.
The conflict between Nikol Pashinyan's government and the church has long escalated into a political issue. Authorities accuse church leaders of ties to the pro-Russian opposition, while the church views the situation as pressure on an independent institution. At the first hearing, the judge recused themselves, necessitating a postponement of the proceedings.
This indirectly relates to the question, "Will Armenia hold a constitutional referendum by the end of 2026?" Pashinyan needs political stability and domestic support for constitutional changes, and a new conflict with the church could complicate this process.
