The Armenian Apostolic Church is currently embroiled in a significant legal dispute as its leader, Catholicos Karekin II, and six other high-ranking clerics face trial. The charges stem from an internal administrative conflict regarding the status of a bishop who was previously defrocked by the church. Prosecutors allege that the church leadership acted unlawfully by refusing to reinstate the individual, despite internal and external pressures.

This legal challenge occurs against a backdrop of increasing friction between the Armenian Apostolic Church and the government of Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. While the specific charges are procedural in nature, observers note that the relationship between the state and the church has deteriorated significantly in recent years. The church has been a vocal critic of the government's policies, particularly regarding territorial disputes and national security. Conversely, government supporters have accused the church of attempting to exert undue political influence. The trial is being closely watched as a potential turning point in the power dynamic between the religious institution and the secular administration. As of now, the church has maintained that the legal action is an overreach of state authority into internal religious affairs, while government officials have framed the matter as a simple adherence to the rule of law.