Pashinyan faces criminal complaint over church remarks

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Armenian civic initiative "Hayakve" has submitted a criminal complaint to Prosecutor General Anna Vardapetyan, alleging that Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan's recent statements about the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC) constitute unconstitutional interference in religious affairs.

Avetik Chalabyan, co-founder of Hayakve, emphasized that Articles 17 and 18 of Armenia's Constitution guarantee the free operation of religious organizations and grant the AAC a special status as a pillar of national identity. He argued that Pashinyan's remarks, including derogatory comments directed at church officials and suggestions for state involvement in the election of the Catholicos, violate these constitutional provisions.

Chalabyan further cited Article 6 of the Constitution, which prohibits state officials from actions beyond their authority, and referenced Article 420 of the Criminal Code, which prescribes severe penalties for attempts to overthrow the constitutional order. He urged the Prosecutor General to investigate whether Pashinyan's actions meet these criteria.

The controversy stems from Pashinyan's Facebook posts on May 30, where he made disparaging remarks about clergy members and advocated for state oversight in the selection of the AAC's spiritual leader. These statements have drawn criticism from church officials and civil society groups, who view them as an affront to the church's autonomy and a breach of constitutional boundaries.

As of now, there has been no official response from the Prosecutor General's Office regarding the complaint.