The preliminary court hearing session in the criminal case against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and six bishops—members of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Church, has been scheduled for Friday at 4:30pm, reports the Information System of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

“In accordance with the right provided for in Section 4 of Article 272 of the RA [i.e. the Republic of Armenia] Criminal Procedure Code, the Catholicos of All Armenians and the high-ranking clergy will not attend the session. Their interests will be represented by [their] defense attorneys.

The charge being brought against His Holiness and the six bishops are an illegal interference in the internal life of the [Armenian Apostolic] Church. The rights of the Catholicos of All Armenians and the bishops must be immediately restored and the illegal criminal prosecution against them must be stopped,” the statement adds.

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