Catholicos case reassigned to another judge – Serzh Rushanyan

The criminal case against Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and six bishops has been reassigned to Judge Serzh Rushanyan.

The case was previously submitted to the court on July 27 and assigned to Judge Hakob Manukyan; however, on August 7 he recused himself. The proceedings are now being handled by a judge of the Armavir Court of General Jurisdiction of First Instance.

The clergymen have been charged under Part 2 of Article 507 of the Armenian Criminal Code, with a travel ban imposed as a measure of restraint.

The case stems from a lawsuit filed by Arman Sargsyan (formerly Bishop Gevorg Saroyan), who sought reinstatement as head of the Masyatsotn Diocese. According to the prosecution, the Catholicos and the bishops failed to comply with an interim civil court ruling that obligated them to ensure Saroyan could carry out his duties as head of the diocese.