Armenian deputies from the ruling Civil Contract party attempted to disrupt a National Assembly session on August 12 after referencing Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II.
During the meeting, Kristine Vardanyan, a deputy from the opposition Armenia faction, mentioned the Catholicos. In response, representatives of the “Civil Contract” party began knocking on tables as a protest. The disruption persisted until Parliament Speaker Ruben Rubinyan, representing Prime Minister Pashinyan’s party, asked the deputies to cease their actions. Vardanyan requested that they continue speaking.
Opposition members had previously expressed dissatisfaction when ruling party representatives used Garegin II’s secular name instead of his church title during discussions about the Catholicos.
Additionally, on August 2, Garegin II did not deliver a welcome address at the opening session of Armenia’s new parliamentary convocation. According to national law, both the country’s president and the Catholicos have the right to address deputies in such circumstances; however, only Armenian leader Vahagn Khachaturian spoke.
On February 14, authorities opened a criminal case against Garegin II on charges of allegedly obstructing judicial proceedings. The decision banned him from leaving Armenia, preventing his participation in the bishops’ conference in Austria. The press service of the Armenian Apostolic Church described this action as illegal and politically motivated.
