Lawyers slam rulings in defrocked priests’ cases

PanARMENIAN.Net - A ruling by the Armavir Regional Court concerning lawsuits filed by defrocked priests has become the subject of debate among lawyers.

Attorney Sos Hakobyan, addressing fellow lawyers, asked whether they had ever seen “such absurd judicial acts in labor disputes, when through interim relief an employee is reinstated in their former position before the final judicial act enters into force,” assuming for a moment that employment relations exist.

Attorney Manush Yesayan wrote that “even in Ancient Rome such jurisprudence had not been seen.”

“From now on, all dismissed employees should petition the court to apply an interim measure so they can return to work and receive a salary, and then whatever the court decides later will be another matter. If it decides that the employer lawfully dismissed them, then they will return the money received.

And yes, dear employers, if you dismiss an employee, know that by an interim court decision they may return, continue to make your life difficult, and you will be obliged to pay them.

And yes, if any court refuses to issue such a decision, be sure to cite the rulings of the judges of the Armavir region. Even Ancient Rome had not seen such jurisprudence.

As they say, if you disgrace yourself, do it thoroughly,” she wrote.

Defrocked priests Stepan Asatryan and Aramais Takhmazyan filed lawsuits demanding that the decree of the Catholicos declaring them defrocked be recognized as invalid. Judges Sima Abovyan and Hovhannes Melkonyan of the Armavir Court of First Instance obliged the Armenian Apostolic Church and other parties to fully and without obstruction ensure that Stepan Asatryan and Aramais Takhmazyan continue to serve in the position of spiritual pastor pending the final decision.