Mother See Calls to Respect Archbishop Navassard Kchoyan's Presumption of Innocence

On April 15, 2020, both the general public and the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin were informed by the national security service and its associated information sources that on April 13, 2020, charges were brought against His Eminence Archbishop Navassard Kchoyan, the vicar of the Ararat Patriarchal Diocese, within the framework of a criminal case being investigated by the National Security Service's Investigative Department.

We call on the public, including officials and the media, to respect the individual's presumption of innocence guaranteed by law and to refrain from unwarranted, hasty comments and unfounded assessments.

It should be noted that the topic raised in the criminal case has been circulating in the media since 2013, and this particular case was initiated years ago. In this context, it is perplexing that the publication concerning the involvement of Archbishop Navassard Kchoyan as a defendant directly follows the public announcement of the Supreme Patriarch's position on changing the detention conditions for vulnerable prisoners, including the second President of Armenia, Robert Kocharyan, during the coronavirus pandemic.

Although this situation raises certain concerns, the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin hopes and will pursue an impartial, thorough, and comprehensive investigation into the criminal case.

Archbishop Navassard Kchoyan's legal defense is being conducted by lawyers who will provide the necessary clarifications and comments regarding the case as needed.