Panarmenian.net
Several members of the Supreme Spiritual Council have received notices from Armenia’s Investigative Committee ordering them to appear for questioning.
According to Aysor.am, those summoned include Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, primate of the Gugark Diocese; Bishop Makar Hakobyan, primate of the Syunik Diocese; Archbishop Haykazun Najaryan; and Bishop Mushegh Babayan.
Lawyer Armine Fanyan said the clergy were called to the Investigative Committee within the framework of the same criminal case as before — allegedly obstructing the enforcement of a court decision.
The Investigative Committee declined to comment on the matter.
“We do not comment,” the committee’s spokesperson told the media.
On March 12, the lay members of the Supreme Spiritual Council had also been summoned to the Investigative Committee.
Currently, six bishops and one priest from the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin hold the status of defendants in the case.
They are accused of obstructing the enforcement of a court ruling that requires the reinstatement of Arman Saroyan as primate of the Masis Diocese.
Earlier, the Investigative Committee had summoned Bishops Makar, Hovnan, Nathan, Haykazun, Mushegh and Vahan, as well as Father Movses.
As a preventive measure, the authorities imposed a ban on leaving the country for them.
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