The Investigative Committee of Armenia will not pursue criminal proceedings regarding the alleged breach of confidentiality related to a phone conversation involving bishop Nathan, according to spokesperson Kima Avdalyan, as reported by Sputnik Armenia.
The decision comes in response to three reports filed by lawyer Ara Zohrabyan, who claimed violations of the rights of clergy and the Armenian Apostolic Church.
“A decision not to initiate a criminal case was formalized and sent for approval to the supervising prosecutor,” Avdalyan said.
The first report referenced Article 206 of the Criminal Code, which prohibits the unlawful interception of private communications. Zohrabyan argued that bishop Nathan’s phone privacy may have been breached.
The second report accused Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and former priest Stepan Asatryan of obstructing a religious rite during a liturgy held in Hovhannavank Monastery on October 26.
The third complaint was filed with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, requesting intervention to remove Asatryan from restricted church areas, such as the altar and vestry, citing a government decision.
A separate criminal investigation has already been launched into a leaked audio recording allegedly involving former priest Aghan Yernjakyan, who reportedly claimed that Catholicos Karekin II had pressured clergy to participate in anti-government protests.
