The Mother See strongly condemns the repeated intervention of the authorities in the internal affairs of the Church with clear violations of the RA Constitution and laws, by which criminal proceedings were initiated and criminal prosecution was initiated against the clergy members of the Supreme Spiritual Council on the charge of obstructing the execution of the judicial act.
On January 31, the clerical members of the Supreme Spiritual Council were sent summonses and demanded to appear before the Investigative Committee as accused, which is again a clear evidence of the campaign against the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and the repression of the clergy. As part of the criminal prosecution, the exit of the bishop members of the Supreme Spiritual Council from the country was blocked.
This reprehensible process is a gross violation of fundamental human rights stipulated by the laws of our country and international treaties, the aim of which is to disrupt the normal activities of the Armenian Apostolic Church, in particular, the work of the episcopal assembly to be convened in Austria in the near future.
The Mother See calls on the government of the Republic of Armenia and the law enforcement system to act exclusively within the framework of the RA Constitution and law, with loyalty to the highest principles of justice and truth, and to respect the Church's right to autonomy.
