Friday’s trial against Catholicos of All Armenians Karekin II and a number of high-ranking clergymen is being held behind closed doors.

This decision was made by Judge Hakob Manukyan of the court of first instance of general jurisdiction of Armavir Province of Armenia.

The presiding judge rationalized his decision by the fact that some personal data were being examined.

The judge did not rule out, however, that at a later phase this trial could be held in a different format.

Thus, the members of media were removed from the courtroom.

As reported earlier, along with Catholicos Karekin II, Archbishops Nathan Hovhannisyan and Haigazun Najarian, as well as Bishops Moushegh Babayan, Hovnan Hakobyan, Makar Hakobyan, and Vahan Hovhanessian are among the defendants.

Friday’s court session, however, began in the absence of Archbishop Nathan Hovhannisyan.