Court finds rights violation in Bishop Hovnan case

PanARMENIAN.Net - A court has ruled that the procedural rights of Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan were violated during the criminal case against him, according to a statement published by his lawyer, Armine Fanyan, on Facebook.

Fanyan said the ruling means the criminal prosecution of the bishop should be discontinued.

"Today I received Judge Ani Danielyan's decision confirming that Bishop Hovnan Hakobyan's rights had been violated.

The court, after granting our complaint, concluded that the suspension of the time limit for public criminal prosecution lacked a properly justified exceptional legal basis. Consequently, the bishop's rights to a lawful and reasoned procedural decision, effective judicial protection, and resolution of the accusation within a reasonable period were infringed," she wrote.

In January 2026, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and ten bishops seeking the removal of the Catholicos announced the launch of a reform process within the Armenian Apostolic Church and unveiled a corresponding roadmap.