Ahead of the bishops’ assembly scheduled for February 16–19 in Sankt Pölten, Austria, a criminal case has been opened against Karekin II, the Catholicos of All Armenians, and his travel abroad has been blocked, according to lawyer Ara Zohrabyan. The move comes a day after Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned that he would take action against what he called “an attempt to move the Catholicosate out of Armenia.”
The criminal proceedings are connected to the non-enforcement of a court ruling involving former bishop Gevorg Saroyan. On January 31, six senior clergymen were summoned for questioning as part of the case and were placed under a travel ban.
“Restrictions have been placed on the Catholicos’s travel outside of Armenia, apparently to sabotage the upcoming bishops’ assembly in Austria. This is a historically shameful act by the authorities,” Zohrabyan said.
The Investigative Committee previously announced on January 29 that it had launched criminal proceedings against the Armenian Apostolic Church in connection with the case of Gevorg Saroyan, former leader of the Mashtots Diocese, over alleged non-enforcement of a court decision.
PM Pashinyan’s Warning on Friday
On Friday, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan warned that certain groups are attempting to move the Catholicosate out of Armenia, a step he says will never be allowed.
“I also warn some representatives of the diaspora that involvement in this conspiratorial plan seriously undermines Armenia’s national security, and the Republic of Armenia will not stand by as a mere observer. There will be a response, a very strong response. Those hiding behind the mask of benefactors, who covet the treasures of Etchmiadzin, we will redirect their attention elsewhere, using all means available to the Republic of Armenia,” Pashinyan said.
He added that additional measures would be taken if necessary and indicated that he has specific information regarding attempts to relocate the Catholicosate.
“We have services that monitor movements, intentions, plans, and discussions. It will not happen. Not a chance. I have warned them not to speak or act in this direction. They did not heed the warnings, so they will feel the consequences,” the Prime Minister warned.
Diaspora Leaders Raise Alarm
Earlier, on February 12, prominent Armenian diaspora leaders had addressed Pashinyan regarding his government’s dispute with the Armenian Apostolic Church. They warned that the government’s handling of the conflict risks damaging ties with Armenians worldwide in ways “not even the Ottoman Empire or the Soviet Union were able to do.”
In an open letter on Thursday, seven signatories said that “even if unintentional, the Armenian government’s approach is risking severing its relationship with the diaspora – something not even the Ottoman Empire or the Soviet Union were able to do.”
The letter was signed by Noubar Afeyan, co-founder of Moderna; Anthony Barsamian, former chairman of the Armenian Assembly of America; Lord Ara Darzi of Denham, a British-Armenian surgeon and member of the U.K. House of Lords; UCLA physician and philanthropist Eric Esrailian; businessman Vatche Manoukian; French financier Joseph Oughourlian; and Berge Setrakian, former president of the Armenian General Benevolent Union.
The appeal comes amid escalating tensions between Prime Minister Pashinyan’s government and the Armenian Apostolic Church, led by Catholicos Karekin II. The dispute has intensified in recent months, with legal actions targeting senior clergy and public criticism of the Church by government officials.
“Recently, persistent political discord in Armenia – including increasing conflict between leaders of the Armenian Government and the Armenian Apostolic Church – has reached a boiling point with government-led demands to oust the leader of the Church,” the letter states.
The authors stress that the Catholicos was elected in accordance with church regulations and that any removal should occur within ecclesiastical structures rather than under state pressure.
They also point to criminal cases against clerics and the imprisonment of Russian-Armenian businessman Samvel Karapetyan. “Several Archbishops have been imprisoned while accused of making political statements, and a prominent Russian-Armenian philanthropist and businessman has been imprisoned for publicly stating support for the church’s position,” the statement says.
The letter highlights the planned synod of bishops scheduled for February 17–19 in Vienna, which the Church convened to address internal challenges. “The Church has already called for a synod of bishops to be held in Vienna.
Unfortunately, the government has reportedly served legal notices to several bishops denying them the right to leave the country to attend the meeting,” the signatories wrote.
