The Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed that the duties of Narek Spartakyan, Armenia's Honorary Consul in Yekaterinburg, have been terminated, according to CivilNet.
No official explanation was provided by the Ministry regarding the reasons behind Spartakyan’s dismissal.
Media reports suggest the decision might be linked to Spartakyan’s disagreement with the Armenian government's stance on the Armenian Apostolic Church, as well as the arrest of businessman Samvel Karapetyan.
Speaking to URA.RU , Spartakyan stated: “I find any action directed against the Armenian Apostolic Church—as a key foundation of spiritual unity for all Armenians—unacceptable.”
Regarding Karapetyan’s arrest, he remarked that he holds him in high regard, describing him as a role model for building and creating.
According to Armenia’s legal information system, an honorary consul is relieved of duties by a decision of the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Despite the announcement, Spartakyan is still listed as Honorary Consul in Yekaterinburg on the official website of the Armenian Foreign Ministry.
During a press conference, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan compared plans to "liberate the Catholicosate" to the 2018 political transition, later calling for a “Great spiritual gathering in Etchmiadzin’s central square.” On Facebook, he outlined a vision to remove the Catholicos, appoint a priest as temporary leader who cannot claim the throne, and delay new elections until the Armenian Apostolic Church Charter is revised.
