STATEMENT OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC ALLIANCE ON THE CRIMINAL PROSECUTION OF THE CATHOLICOS OF ALL ARMENIANS

The National Democratic Alliance strongly condemns the criminal prosecution initiated against His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, and senior clergy of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. Turning matters that fall within the domain of internal ecclesiastical affairs and canon law into subjects of criminal proceedings constitutes a gross and unacceptable interference by the state authorities in the autonomy of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church.

Issues concerning the status and ministry of bishops, the administration of dioceses, as well as their conduct and private lives, may be examined and resolved exclusively within the framework of the Church’s canon law and internal procedures.

This action by the authorities contravenes the Constitution and applicable legislation of the Republic of Armenia, which recognize the exclusive mission of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church in the spiritual life of the Armenian people, in preserving their national culture and strengthening their national identity, while also guaranteeing the autonomy of religious organizations and freedom of religion.

Even during the most difficult periods in the history of the Armenian people, foreign invaders and occupying rulers did not dare to resolve their disputes with the Armenian Church through criminal prosecution or to reshape the canonical order of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church by means of state coercion. What the Armenian authorities are resorting to today is not merely an act of legal and political arbitrariness; it is also an assault on the national dignity of the Armenian people.

The Armenian Apostolic Holy Church is not an ordinary institution or public organization. For centuries, it has been one of the principal spiritual, cultural, and national pillars of the Armenian people, particularly when they were deprived of statehood. State encroachment upon the Church’s canonical order means undermining one of the existential pillars of the Armenian people and weakening the foundations of national identity, internal unity, and Armenia–Diaspora cooperation.

The use of criminal pressure against the Catholicos and the Church’s highest-ranking clergy reveals a dangerous ambition on the part of the authorities to use state coercion to subjugate national institutions that do not serve the political interests of the ruling group and its patrons. This is unacceptable and must be met with decisive opposition from Armenians in Armenia and the Diaspora, as well as from human rights organizations and international institutions.

The National Democratic Alliance demands:

• The immediate cessation of the politically motivated criminal prosecution of the Catholicos of All Armenians and the other clergymen;

• The exclusion of any interference by state bodies in the canonical affairs and internal governance of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church;

• The restoration of constitutional legality and respect for the Church’s right to self-governance;

• That officials who have abused their authority and organized unlawful persecution be held accountable.

Defending the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church is not about defending any particular individual or clergyman.

It is about defending the national identity, historical memory, spiritual sovereignty, and right to survival of the Armenian people.

Council of the National Democratic Alliance

6 August 2026 Yerevan