The conflict between the authorities and the Apostolic Church in Armenia has entered an open stage.

Axar.az reports that a criminal case has been initiated against the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II, and he has been banned from leaving the country.

According to the information, the accusation is related to obstructing the execution of a court decision and is linked to the case of Arman Saroyan. Earlier, 6 high-ranking clergymen were also accused in the same case, and their exit from the country was also restricted.

The Catholicos' lawyer, Ara Zohrabyan, stated that this was aimed at preventing the bishops' meeting planned to be held in Austria and called the decision a "historical disgrace." According to him, this step is a direct interference of the state in the internal affairs of the church.

It is noted that the criminal prosecution began just a day after Nikol Pashinyan accused the clergy of trying to remove the Catholicosate from the borders of Armenia. The Prime Minister had stated that he would not allow such attempts.

Echmiadzin, however, described the incident as a "national tragedy" and announced that this step by the authorities would have both legal and moral consequences.