# Armenian Church leadership trial continues > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/armenian-church-leadership-criminal-trial > Updated: 2026-08-07T14:34:30.000Z. Sources: 29. Developments: 3. The prosecution of Catholicos Karekin II and six senior bishops, launched in late July 2026, moved to trial on 5 August at the Armavir Regional Court in Vagharshapat. The clerics are charged with defying a civil-court order that temporarily reinstated Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, who had been defrocked amid allegations of abusing authority and neglecting duties. Conviction could bring up to two years’ imprisonment for each defendant, marking the most significant legal challenge to the Armenian Apostolic Church’s leadership. The trial proceeds amid an escalating clash between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s EU-oriented government, which accuses the Church of serving Russian interests and has repeatedly called for Karekin’s resignation, and a hierarchy that describes the prosecution as politically motivated. Civil-society groups and the Armenian Humanitarian Union continue to demand the charges be dropped, arguing they lack legal basis and threaten religious freedom. On 7 August, the presiding judge, Hakob Manukyan, recused himself from the case, citing a potential conflict of interest related to the defense counsel. This move was welcomed by Karekin’s lawyer, Ara Zograbyan, who requested a new judge. The recusal occurred amid significant public tension, with hundreds of supporters, opposition figures, and NGOs gathering outside the courthouse. Samvel Karapetyan, leader of the pro-Russian Strong Armenia party, denounced the trial as a “national disgrace.” Lawyer Anna Melikyan of Protection of Rights Without Borders maintains that the case infringes the Church’s constitutional independence and raises concerns about judicial independence in Armenia. ## Claims - The judge in the case has recused himself from the trial. (disputed by 7 sources) - The judge recused himself due to a potential conflict of interest regarding his relationship with the defense lawyer. (disputed) - Catholicos Karekin II and six other senior clergymen are accused of defying a court order to reinstate a defrocked bishop. (corroborated by 10 sources) - If convicted, the accused clerics face a maximum penalty of two years in prison. (corroborated by 10 sources) - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly called for Karekin’s resignation and accused the Apostolic Church of acting as a proxy for Russia. (corroborated by 9 sources) - The defrocked bishop is Gevorg Saroyan, who was removed for abusing authority and neglecting duties. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Opposition politicians, church leaders and civil society groups say the prosecution is politically motivated. (corroborated by 9 sources) - Catholicos Karekin II and six senior clerics will be tried on Friday. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The case is the most significant legal challenge to the leadership of the Apostolic Church. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The European Union backs Prime Minister Pashinyan as he seeks to steer Armenia toward the West. (corroborated by 7 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-07: Armenian Catholicos Karekin II faces criminal trial amid government feud Armenian Catholicos Karekin II and six bishops face criminal charges for allegedly defying a court order to reinstate a defrocked bishop, amidst a power struggle with Prime Minister Pashinyan. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/armenian-catholicos-karekin-ii-faces-trial-over-defrocked-bishop-dispute ### 2026-08-05: Catholicos Karekin II and Six Clerics to Face Trial in Armenia Catholicos Karekin II and six clerics will be tried for defying a court order to reinstate a defrocked bishop, facing up to two years in prison; the case fuels a bitter church‑state clash in Armenia. 18 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catholicos-karekin-ii-and-six-bishops-to-face-trial-in-armenia-over-defrocked-bishop ### 2026-07-30: Catholicos Karekin II faces historic criminal trial in Armenia Catholicos Karekin II and five senior clergy are on trial in Armenia for obstructing a court order to reinstate Bishop Gevorg Saroyan, amid escalating tensions between Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan’s reformist 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/catholicos-karekin-ii-faces-historic-criminal-trial-in-armenia --- Cite as: Armenian Church leadership trial continues. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/armenian-church-leadership-criminal-trial