Bishops summoned to the Investigative Committee
Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan, Primate of the Diocese of Gougark, Bishop Makar Hakobyan, Primate of the Diocese of Syunik, as well as Father (Ter) Movses, have been invited to the Investigative Committee of Armenia.
According to attorney Armine Fanyan, Bishops Hovnan and Makar are already at the Investigative Committee and have been summoned with the status of defendants. According to her, the proceedings concern the allegation of failure to comply with a judicial act issued based on the lawsuit of Bishop Gevorg Saroyan.
The lawyer noted that the selection of preventive measures might be discussed after the interrogation, but emphasized that detention is not provided for by law, as the case involves a crime of minor gravity.
“We believe the goal is to disrupt the Assembly of Bishops because the bishops were notified immediately with the procedural status of defendants. This is unique. It means that a decision to initiate criminal prosecution has already been made, and naturally, preventive measures will be chosen. Of course, the sanction of the article does not allow for motions to use detention as a preventive measure, as we are talking about a crime of minor gravity, but I assume there will be restrictions on freedom of movement; otherwise, why would these actions be carried out in such a hasty manner on a Saturday?” the attorney stated.
To recap, on January 10, 2026, by the pontifical decree of Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan was dismissed from the position of Primate of the Diocese of Masyatsotn. The latter appealed to the court, contesting that decision and demanding reinstatement to his position.
By court order, Bishop Gevorg Saroyan was temporarily reinstated as the Primate of the Diocese of Masyatsotn until a final judicial act in the case was issued. However, he was subsequently defrocked (laicized).
On January 29, the Investigative Committee reported that a criminal proceeding had been initiated regarding the case of non-compliance with a judicial act.