What Will Be the Next Step of the Catholicos After the Public Appeal: 'Joghouvourd'

The newspaper 'Joghouvourd' writes: 'Recently, the Supreme Patriarch of All Armenians Garegin II made a statement, raising various concerns, including an appeal to release the second president of Armenia, Robert Kocharian. In response, the press secretary of the Prime Minister of Armenia reminded that Samvel Mayrapetyan, who is accused of facilitating bribery, was allowed to leave Armenia for treatment on January 25, 2019, for which personal guarantees were provided by the chief neurosurgeon of the Ministry of Health Ruben Fanarjyan and the head of the Information System of the Mother See, Father Vahram Kahana Melikyan, each paying 15 million drams. However, Mayrapetyan left and never returned. This means that the government reminded of a bad precedent, indicating that it is not even worth considering the prospect of releasing Kocharian.

'Joghouvourd' newspaper tried to clarify the position of the Catholicos regarding what will be done next. Father Vahram Kahana Melikyan, head of the Information System of the Mother See, did not comment in any way. When asked whether he regretted providing the guarantees, he mentioned that he does not wish to comment on that matter at this time.'

For more details, see today's issue of the newspaper.