The developments surrounding the Church are a clear violation of the principles of religious freedom: Father Tiratur

The recent state steps taken against the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, in particular the judicial intervention in the episcopal appointments, the forced execution of that decision, and now the initiative to prosecute church representatives, cannot be perceived as a neutral application of law, Father Tiratur Sardaryan wrote about this.

He stressed that these developments should concern not only the Church but all those who value the democratic development of Armenia, regardless of their position on the Catholicos of All Armenians, the Church authorities, or their political alignment.

“We are witnessing a systematic attack on the autonomy of our Church, which is guaranteed by the Constitution. The state is ignoring the Church’s legally enshrined right to self-governance, disregarding the special legal framework for church-state relations, and violating the principle of separation of church and state by interfering in matters of a purely internal and spiritual nature. 

The use of criminal law tools to implement this policy seriously undermines the foundations of the rule of law,” Father Tiratur stated. 

“These developments are a clear violation of the principles of religious freedom enshrined in Armenia’s legal order and international obligations,” he added.

The Investigative Committee has initiated proceedings against the Church, pressuring it to recognize treasonous Arman Saroyan as Primate of the Masyatsotn Diocese.