Human rights defenders called the trial against Garegin II unjust.

The prosecution of the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II violates the Constitution of Armenia, the principles of separation of powers, and freedom of religion, human rights defenders stated.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", Judge Akop Manukyan recused himself at the first hearing of the criminal case against the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and six hierarchs. The Catholicos, two archbishops, and four bishops are accused of obstructing the execution of a court order.

The "Initiative of Five Human Rights Defenders" in Armenia assessed the court case against the church as an "unprecedented event in the millennia-long history of the Armenian people."

"The Catholicos of All Armenians will stand trial before the Armenian state as an accused. At the same time, the Patriarch is charged with committing an act that pertains exclusively to the spiritual sphere and is protected by the principle of 'the church is separated from the state', and therefore, by law, is not subject to consideration by any secular court. We strongly condemn this unthinkable process, viewing it as an attack on the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church as a national and spiritual pillar. In our assessment, this unjust trial is directed against millions of children of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church and all Armenian Christians worldwide, for whom the Church is a symbol of national identity, historical memory, and spiritual unity," the statement published on the initiative's page reads.

Human rights defenders called on compatriots to "clearly express their position regarding this phenomenon, which is a national disgrace and a flagrant violation of the law."

The National Legislative Union "AiaKve (Armenian Vote)" in Armenia called the criminal prosecution of the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and six bishops of the Armenian Apostolic Church "illegal and politically motivated."

"The current authorities, intervening in the canonical issues of the Church and promoting the agenda of removing the Catholicos, are effectively interfering in the internal affairs of the Church," representatives of the union told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot."

"The Church's right to internal self-governance is guaranteed by the Constitution of Armenia and the country's international obligations. The use of criminal prosecution to pressure the Church violates the principles of the rule of law, separation of powers, and freedom of religion. Involvement of the courts in political persecution of high-ranking clergy seriously damages Armenia's international authority," the union emphasized.

"AiaKve" believes that "it is necessary to ensure that the criminal prosecution of clergy and state interference in the internal affairs of the Church are stopped, and the protection of freedom of religion and the autonomy of religious organizations is ensured."

The World Council of Churches (WCC) expressed concern about the situation surrounding the Armenian Apostolic Church, the Catholicos of All Armenians, and six archbishops, calling the process "an inappropriate interference in the internal affairs of the Church" and emphasized that "the confrontation should be resolved in a way that promotes the well-being and progress of the Armenian people," the center's website states.

In support of the Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II and high-ranking clergy, statements were made by the Bureau of the ARF "Dashnaktsutyun", the alliance "Strong Armenia", and the party "Bright Armenia", as well as the dioceses of the Armenian Apostolic Church in various countries, organizations, and institutions of the diaspora, NEWS.am reports.

The conflict between the Armenian authorities and the Armenian Apostolic Church has been ongoing since 2018, when Pashinyan came to power. This conflict became evident against the backdrop of the 2020 Karabakh war and the authorities' desire to establish relations with Turkey, analysts interviewed by "Caucasian Knot" noted.

In May 2025, Nikol Pashinyan sharply criticized the church, and in response to the objections of Archbishop Arshak Khachatryan, he replied with insults on Facebook*. Armenian politicians and church representatives demanded an apology from Pashinyan for insulting the church.

More about the persecution of political opponents of the current authorities of Armenia can be read in the reference "Caucasian Knot" "Main points on political arrests in Armenia in the summer of 2025".