Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II met with participants of an international legal forum to discuss the protection of the rights of Artsakh Armenians, the return of prisoners of war, and the safeguarding of spiritual heritage.

Rector of Armenia’s Academy of Advocates, Ara Zohrabyan, introduced the delegates, who aimed to learn about the role of the Armenian Apostolic Church in national and civic life.

Welcoming them at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin, the Catholicos highlighted the Church’s historical and present role as the spiritual center of the Armenian people, emphasizing Christianity’s central place in shaping national identity and cultural values over the centuries.

He also addressed the Armenian Genocide, stating that the crimes committed by the Ottoman Empire in the early 20th century have continued in recent years through acts of genocidal nature by Azerbaijan against the Armenian population of Artsakh.

During the meeting, Karekin II spoke about Armenia’s current security challenges, the defense of Artsakh Armenians’ rights, the issue of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, and the urgent need to preserve Artsakh’s spiritual and cultural heritage. He stressed the role of international human rights organizations in preventing and condemning such atrocities.

The Catholicos concluded the meeting by thanking the lawyers for their efforts to uphold human rights and justice on the international stage.

In September 2023, following a nine-month blockade and the ethnic cleansing of the Armenian population in Artsakh, Azerbaijan captured former Artsakh Presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, as well as former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, and other former leaders. They face fabricated charges that could lead to life sentences. A sham trial began in Baku on January 17.