Court hearing on the "Sacred Struggle" case: expert clarifications


On September 10, the court hearing regarding the "Sacred Struggle" case continued at the Shengavit seat of the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction, where the court heard testimony from experts representing the Investigative Committee.
The defense team reiterated that the expert findings concerning weapons and ammunition had been added to the case file with the aim of misleading the public and generating publicity for the case.
The next hearing was scheduled for September 17 at 3:00 PM.

Court hearing on the Sacred Struggle case: new decisions on preventive measures


On September 3, the regular court hearing on the Sacred Struggle case continued at the “Shengavit” residence of the Yerevan General Jurisdiction Criminal Court, during which experts from the Investigative Committee were questioned and issues of preventive measures for the accused were examined. By the court’s decision, Vahagn Chakhalyan was released from house arrest; administrative supervision was elected for him, and the term of house arrest of NA deputy Artur Sargsyan was extended for another month. The next court hearing was scheduled for September 10.
 

The second judge also refused to examine the case of the Catholicos of All Armenians


On August 28, the Vagharshapat seat of the Criminal Court of First Instance of Armavir Region held a hearing on the criminal case against Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, and the Supreme Spiritual Council, including 2 archbishops and 4 bishops. 
Judge Serzh Rushanyan also refused to examine the case, sending it to the Yerevan Criminal Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction. The court noted that the omission in the indictment raises questions, and the Yerevan court should examine the issue of territorial jurisdiction of the case.

The hearing on the Sacred Struggle case has been postponed


On August 27, the regular hearing on the “Sacred Struggle” case at the “Shengavit” residence of the Yerevan Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction was postponed due to the absence of the participants, in particular, due to the search being conducted at the apartment of the accused Tigran Galstyan. Judge Karen Farkhoyan scheduled the next hearing for September 3, at 3:30 p.m., during which the issue of preventive measures against Vahagn Chakhalyan and Igor Sargsyan will be examined.

Nersisyans’ trial: defense party delivers speech


On August 27, the trial of the case of Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II’s brother, Gevorg Nersisyan, and his son, Hambardzum Nersisyan, continued at the Armavir Regional Court of First Instance, where the defense party delivered its closing statement. 
According to attorney Emin Khachatryan, the accusations are in fact devoid of factual basis, and as the attorneys have repeatedly emphasized, the case is based on political direction directed against the Armenian Apostolic Church. The next hearing has been scheduled for September 28, during which attorney Ara Zohrabyan will deliver his closing statement.

Press conference of Archbishop Bagrat and lawyers


On August 21, a press conference was held at the residence of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan, where he is under house arrest, with the participation of lawyers Tatevik Soghoyan and Hovhannes Khudoyan, during which the communication with the UN expert group regarding the “Holy Struggle” and the events of June 12, 2024 was discussed.
The lawyers once again emphasized that the response of the UN expert group also confirms that the “Holy Struggle” case has no connection with terrorism and was initiated exclusively for political reasons.

The next court hearing in the “Holy Struggle” case


On August 20, the next court hearing in the “Holy Struggle” case was held at the “Shengavit” residence of the Yerevan General Jurisdiction Criminal Court, during which the public prosecutors continued to present written evidence.
The defense and the movement participants noted that the presentation of evidence unrelated to the case is an unnecessary waste of state resources, and Archbishop Bagrat drew the court’s attention to the fact of the distortion of facts, emphasizing that false and defamatory statements misleading the public are being spread in the same way against the movement.
The next court hearing was scheduled for August 27.

The next court hearing in the “Holy Struggle” case


On August 13, the next court hearing in the “Holy Struggle” case at the “Shengavit” residence of the Yerevan General Jurisdiction Criminal Court started later than scheduled, without the presence of Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and NA deputy Artur Sargsyan.
Attorney Tatevik Soghoyan filed a motion with the court to allow Archbishop Bagrat to participate in his father’s funeral service on August 23 in Geghardavank. The next court hearing is scheduled for August 20.
 

Makeniants Monastery


The famous 7th-century Makeniants Monastery, one of the most prestigious spiritual and educational centers of medieval Armenia, is located in the village of Makenis, Gegharkunik region. Karapet, whose path to the temple began in a penitentiary, has been a hermit here for two decades. The clergyman he met in prison helped him reconsider his life, convert, and find the path to salvation. How did the 13-year-old former convict become the guardian of the ancient monastery, how does his secluded life in a remote village monastery go, what meaning does his image have for each of us?

The 16th Armenian Summer Festival was held in London


Diocese of The Armenian Church of the United Kingdom & Ireland
 
Recently, the 16th Armenian Summer Festival was held in London with the efforts of the Armenian Diocese of Great Britain and Ireland and the organizations and volunteer groups united around it, which brought together our compatriots under one roof. 
During the event, the Primate of the Diocese, Bishop Hovakim Manukyan, delivered a blessing speech, and all proceeds raised by the festival will be directed to the educational and charitable programs of the diocese.

The trial in the "Holy Struggle" case has resumed


During the trial resumed on July 23 at the "Shengavit" residence of the Yerevan Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction, the court decided to replace the house arrest of "Holy Struggle" participant Igor Sargsyan with administrative supervision, and to leave the detention of NA deputy Artur Sargsyan unchanged. 
The next court hearing has been scheduled for July 30.

Akhpradzor


During the 44-day war, houses and areas in the village of Akhpradzor in the Gegharkunik region were set on fire. This caused about 40 families to leave the village. Now, only 46 families live in the village.