A criminal case has been initiated in connection with an audio recording allegedly featuring Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan, Director of the External Relations and Protocol Department of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, and former priest Aghan Abbot Yernjakyan.
According to the Investigative Committee of Armenia, the case was opened under Part 3 of Article 236 of the Criminal Code, which pertains to obstructing or coercing participation in assemblies, or offering material incentives to influence such decisions by abusing official or authoritative influence.
The General Prosecutor's Office had previously stated that the audio, circulated online on October 17, allegedly involved Archbishop Hovhannisyan and former Catholicos staff-bearer Yernjakyan. The conversation is believed to have taken place in October 2023.
The Information Department of the Mother See also responded to the leak, declaring: “Currently, the entire law enforcement and judicial system is engaged in executing anti-church illegal directives. The circulation of such alleged statements attributed to the Catholicos aims to discredit the Church and incite hostility toward clergy.
Violating the confidentiality of phone conversations is a crime in itself and a separate issue, which we hope law enforcement will address appropriately,” the statement concluded.
