Court Hearing on the "Sacred Struggle" Case: Video Footage of Seized Weapons Examined


On October 29, the latest court hearing regarding the "Sacred Struggle" case took place at the Shengavit seat of the Yerevan Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction. During the session, the court spent approximately 2.5 hours reviewing video footage concerning weapons and ammunition that had undergone forensic examination. Throughout the trial—which has been ongoing for over a year—no physical evidence has been presented to substantiate the grave charges brought against the participants. The next court hearing has been scheduled for November 5 at 14:30.

"Degh" alternative rock band


Five young and spirited, original and creative individuals, united by rock music. The band’s name, "Degh", often gives rise to differing interpretations; the musicians enjoy offering various explanations and joking about it.

No Elements of a Crime, Yet the Court Must Determine the Sentence: Latest Hearing in the Nersisyan Case


On October 22, the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction of the Armavir Province continued the trial of Gevorg Nersisyan—brother of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II and his son, Hambardzum Nersisyan. Although the case lacks the essential elements of a crime, and both witnesses and video evidence refute the charge of obstructing an election campaign, the court is now tasked with determining the sentence. The next court hearing has been scheduled for November 12 at 3:00 PM.

Court Hearing in the "Sacred Struggle" Case Postponed Again


On October 22, a scheduled court hearing for the "Sacred Struggle" case was set to take place at the Shengavit seat of the Yerevan Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction; however, for the umpteenth week in a row, the hearing failed to proceed as planned, due to various stated reasons.
Throughout the course of this trial—which has been ongoing for over a year—not a single compelling argument or piece of physical evidence has been presented to substantiate the charges brought against the defendants. Consequently, the hearing has once again been postponed, now rescheduled for October 30 at 3:00 PM.

Court Dismisses Lawsuit Filed by Arman Saroyan


On October 22, attorney Ara Zohrabyan announced that the Court of General Jurisdiction of the First Instance of the Armavir Province of the Republic of Armenia has dismissed the lawsuit filed by the defrocked Arman Saroyan, in which he sought reinstatement to the position of Primate of the Masyatsotn Diocese. In his ruling, Judge Edgar Hovhannisyan stated that the existence of an employment relationship between Saroyan and the Armenian Apostolic Church has not been proven. The court also deemed the circumstances surrounding a bishop’s monastic vows to be a significant factor.

Latest Hearing in the Nersisyan Case: Prosecution Seeks Prison Sentences


On October 15, the trial involving Gevorg Nersisyan—brother of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II and his son, Hambardzum Nersisyan, continued at the Court of First Instance of Armavir Province. The public prosecutor requested that the court sentence Gevorg Nersisyan to three years and six months of imprisonment, and Hambardzum Nersisyan to seven years and six months of imprisonment.
The defense maintains that the case is fabricated and was initiated with the intent to exert pressure on the Armenian Church and the Supreme Patriarch. The next hearing has been scheduled for October 22 at 3:00 PM, at which time the court will hear the position of the defense.
 

Court Finds Brother and Son of the Catholicos of All Armenians Guilty


On October 8, the Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction of the Armavir Province found Gevorg Nersisyan—the brother of the Catholicos of All Armenians, Karekin II—and his son, Hambardzum Nersisyan, guilty.
According to the defense team, the judge’s decision was entirely predictable and predetermined; the court will determine the severity of the sentence and the manner in which it is to be served during a subsequent phase of hearings. The next court session is scheduled for October 15 at 3:00 PM.
 

Getap


Today, only 30 houses remain in Getap, a village situated along the 311-kilometer stretch of the Armenia-Turkey state border. This border settlement, founded by Armenians who had migrated from the village of Mavra in Kars, is gradually emptying out, and the village school faces the threat of closure under the Ministry of Education, Science, Culture, and Sport’s optimization program. "There need to be programs that value the people, encouraging them to consider staying and developing the community," notes Father Hayk Sahakyan, the spiritual pastor of the Talin community. There is no active church in the village; residents attend liturgy in neighboring Aragatsavan, while the semi-ruined 6th-century Holy Savior (Surb Amenaprkich) Church stands near the border line.

Latest hearing in the "Sacred Struggle" case: heated debate over the significance of evidence


On October 1, the latest court hearing in the "Sacred Struggle" case continued at the Shengavit seat of the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction; during the session, examination protocols regarding the weapons and ammunition that had undergone forensic analysis were reviewed.The defense demanded clarification regarding exactly which circumstance this evidence substantiated, while the public prosecutors insisted that they would present this in greater detail during their closing arguments. The next hearing was scheduled for October 15 at 3:00 PM.

 

Stamp Cancellation and Conference Dedicated to the 350th Anniversary of Mkhitar Sebastatsi


On September 28, the ceremonial cancellation of a commemorative stamp dedicated to the 350th anniversary of Mkhitar Sebastatsi’s birth took place at the National Academy of Sciences of the Republic of Armenia, followed by a conference.
Clergy members, state and cultural figures, and representatives of diplomatic missions participated in the event and the joint issue by HayPost and Vatican Post.

Latest hearing in the Nersisyan case; final decision set for October 8


On September 28, the hearing regarding the case of Gevorg Nersisyan—brother of Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians—and his son, Hambardzum Nersisyan, continued at the Court of First Instance of Armavir Province; during the proceedings, attorney Ara Zohrabyan delivered his closing argument. Judge Gevorg Manukyan did not announce a final decision; the hearing was adjourned and rescheduled for October 8 at 3:00 PM, at which time, according to the judge, the final decision will be announced.

Court hearing on the "Sacred Struggle" case: Archbishop Bagrat's house arrest extended


On September 24, the latest court hearing regarding the "Sacred Struggle" case continued at the Shengavit seat of the Yerevan Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction; during the proceedings, the court decided to extend Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan's house arrest by two months. The court also continued hearing clarifications regarding the forensic examination of weapons and ammunition; the next hearing was scheduled for October 1 at 3:00 PM.