The Initiative of Five Human Rights Defenders strongly condemns the  unthinkable trial of the Catholicos, calling it an attack on the  Armenian Apostolic Church

ArmInfo. Tomorrow, August 7, an unprecedented event in the thousand-year history of the Armenian people will take place: the Catholicos of All Armenians will stand trial before a court of the Armenian state as a defendant, as  noted in a statement issued by the Initiative of Five Human Rights  Defenders.

"Furthermore, His Holiness is accused of committing an act  that related exclusively to the spiritual realm, protected by the  principle of 'separation of church and state,' and therefore beyond  the jurisdiction  of any secular court. We strongly condemn this  unthinkable process, viewing it as an attack on the Armenian  Apostolic Holy Church as a national and spiritual pillar. In our  assessment, this unjust trial is directed against millions of  children of the Armenian Apostolic Church and all Armenian Christians  worldwide, for whom the Church is a symbol of national identity,  historical memory, and spiritual unity," the statement reads.

The initiative also called on all compatriots to take a clear stand  against this national disgrace and a grave violation of the law. "We  call on everyone to express their support for the Armenian Apostolic  Holy Church and the fundamental principles of justice in and outside  the courtroom," the statement reads.