August 7 Could Become a Day of Dangerous Turn: Robert Amsterdam on the Catholicos Trial

International lawyer and human rights advocate Robert Amsterdam has stated that August 7 may register in Armenian history as a "day of dangerous turn." Addressing the ongoing judicial proceedings against His Holiness Catholicos Garegin II and other clergy, Amsterdam remarked that he cannot remain silent about what is happening.

According to him, the Catholicos facing the court is not a conventional trial, but a matter related to constitutional order and principles of international law. Amsterdam emphasized that the separation of state and church must be upheld, and the autonomy of religious institutions should be protected.

He also argued that any political pressure from the state on a spiritual leader could undermine the principles of justice and the rule of law. "The Armenian Apostolic Church has been one of the crucial pillars of the identity and survival of the Armenian people for centuries," Amsterdam wrote, stressing that processes against the Church could have severe consequences.

It is noteworthy that the court proceedings regarding the criminal case against His Holiness Garegin II and six bishops are scheduled for August 7.