The leader of Armenia’s Apostolic Church faces trial amid a feud with the government

The head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, Catholicos Karekin II, appeared in court on criminal charges for defying a court order to reinstate a defrocked bishop. This trial is part of escalating tensions between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's government and the church, which has opposed government policies, including territorial concessions to Azerbaijan. Karekin and six other senior clergymen face up to two years in prison if convicted. The case stems from the church's refusal to comply with a court ruling regarding Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, whom the church had defrocked. The judge in the case has recused himself, and a new judge will be assigned. Supporters of the church gathered outside the courthouse, denouncing the legal action as an attack on the church's autonomy.

Catholicos Karekin II, the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church, and six other clerics will go on trial Friday at the Armavir Regional Court in Vagharshapat. They are accused of defying a civil court order by failing to reinstate Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, who was defrocked by the Church in January. Saroyan is a supporter of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, and both have called for Karekin II's resignation. The trial is seen as an escalation of a feud between Pashinyan and the Church, which has criticized Pashinyan's handling of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Pashinyan has also accused the Church of spying for Russia, allegations denied by Karekin II. If convicted, the clerics face up to two years in prison each.