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.
 

Court Hearing Regarding the Catholicos of All Armenians and Members of the Supreme Spiritual Council


On September 17, a court hearing took place at the Etchmiadzin seat of the Armavir Province Court of First Instance of General Jurisdiction regarding the criminal case involving Karekin II, Catholicos of All Armenians, as well as two archbishops and four bishops who are members of the Supreme Spiritual Council.
The defense team submitted motions arguing that the criminal prosecution was unconstitutional and unlawful, and emphasizing the Church's constitutional right to autonomy.
The next court hearing was scheduled for October 30 at 3:00 PM.
 

Court hearing on the "Sacred Struggle" case: expert conclusion discussed


On September 17, the latest court hearing regarding the "Sacred Struggle" case continued at the Shengavit seat of the Yerevan Criminal Court of General Jurisdiction. During the session, Andranik Ghukasyan, a senior expert at the Investigative Committee, answered questions concerning the methodology used in his forensic examination of weapons and ammunition. The defense challenged the applied methodology, citing Article 97 of the Criminal Procedure Code. The next hearing is scheduled for September 24 at 3:00 PM.
 

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.