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The criminal case against Catholicos Karekin II and six senior clergymen of the Armenian Apostolic Church has been assigned to Judge Vahagn Melikyan of the Yerevan Criminal Court of First Instance, court documents showed Wednesday.
The Yerevan court received the case on September 1 based on territorial jurisdiction and assigned it to Melikyan the same day. He is the third judge to whom the case has been assigned.
The case was initially assigned to Judge Hakob Manukyan of the Armavir Court of First Instance. On August 7, Manukyan recused himself, citing a potential conflict of interest and saying that one of the defendants’ lawyers, Ara Zohrabyan, had previously conducted his examination, as a result of which he obtained his license to practice law.
The case was then assigned to Judge Serzh Rushanyan. On August 28, he decided to transfer the case to the Yerevan Criminal Court based on territorial jurisdiction, noting that the factual description of the alleged offense charged against Karekin II did not specify where the alleged act was committed, while the body that conducted the pre-trial proceedings is based in Yerevan.
Catholicos Karekin II has been charged with obstructing the enforcement of a legally binding court ruling by using his official powers in his capacity as both Catholicos and Chairman of the Supreme Spiritual Council.
On January 10, 2026, by order of Karekin II, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, the Primate of the Diocese of Masyatsotn, was removed from his position as diocesan leader.
Bishop Gevorg Saroyan challenged his removal from office in court. On January 17, the court ruled that he should be reinstated as Primate of the Diocese until a final judicial decision is issued in the case.
Charges have been brought against the Catholicos and six bishops for failing to comply with the court ruling.
The clergy members have denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the court does not have jurisdiction over such matters.
Authorities have imposed a travel ban on Karekin II, barring him from leaving the country as a pretrial measure of restraint.