The Criminal ProceedingsIt is with these principles in mind that the Armenian Bar Association is deeply troubled by the criminal prosecution of His Holiness Karekin II and the six members of the Supreme Spiritual Council of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. On or about January 10, 2026, Catholicos Karekin II issued Patriarchal Directive No. By unanimous vote, the Supreme Spiritual Council recommended that His Holiness Karekin II defrock Bp. Karekin II accepted that recommendation and defrocked Bp. And criminal liability predicated on the legitimate exercise of ecclesiastical authority raises serious concerns under the principles of religious autonomy protected by international human rights law.