BRUSSELS, 7 August 2026 – The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) expresses its grave concern regarding the unprecedented legal proceedings initiated by Armenian authorities against His Holiness Garegin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, along with senior members of the clergy.
The launch of preliminary court hearings against the head of the Armenian Apostolic Church and six archbishops over internal ecclesiastical administrative decisions represents a dangerous breach of international standards on freedom of conscience, religious autonomy, and the rule of law.
Under the constitutional framework of the Republic of Armenia and international human rights conventions, the separation of church and state, as well as the organizational autonomy of religious institutions, must be respected. State intervention in internal canonical decisions, ecclesiastical appointments, and the spiritual hierarchy sets an alarming precedent of selective justice and political interference.
Commenting on these developments, Kaspar Karampetian, President of the EAFJD, stated:
“The prosecution of the Catholicos of All Armenians and high-ranking clergy represents a deeply concerning escalation that bodes ill for Armenia’s democratic future and societal stability. A robust democracy does not weaponize the state apparatus or judicial mechanisms against historic institutions or internal spiritual affairs. By overriding fundamental principles of religious autonomy and judicial independence, these actions risk deepening internal polarization at a time when national unity and constitutional integrity are paramount. We urge the Armenian government to immediately halt state interference in church governance and uphold the rule of law.”
For centuries, the Armenian Apostolic Church has served as a core pillar of identity, spiritual heritage, and social cohesion for Armenians worldwide. Coercive state measures targeting church governance erode democratic norms, undermine public trust in national institutions, and fracture civil harmony.
The EAFJD calls upon the Armenian judiciary and law enforcement authorities to strictly adhere to constitutional principles and refrain from executing politically motivated directives. Furthermore, the EAFJD appeals to international monitoring bodies, European institutions, and human rights organizations to closely observe these proceedings to ensure that fundamental rights, rule of law, and institutional autonomy are fully upheld in Armenia.
