Armenia is preparing a possible criminal investigation against Catholicos of All Armenians Garegin II. According to media reports, he is suspected of money laundering. As part of the investigation, Ghazaryan, former director of the church television channel Shoghakat, was questioned.
The case is reportedly related to Ghazaryan's sale of an apartment received from the Holy See from church funds. According to investigators, this transaction may constitute money laundering by the Catholicos.
Earlier, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan signed a joint statement with ten clergy on reforming the Armenian Apostolic Church (AAC). The statement calls for a public announcement of the reform program and the removal of the de facto head of the AAC, Garegin II.
Pashinyan claimed that Garegin II was planning a military coup in the country. The prime minister accused him and the Armenian clergy of working for Russia. Recently, the Armenian government initiated a signature drive to force the resignation of the Catholicos.
